Liverpool Football Club has a rich history of developing young talent through its academy system. Over the years, the club has produced some of the most exciting and talented players in the game including the likes of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen.
As we cross the halfway point of the 2022/23 season, there are a number of promising young players coming through the ranks at Liverpool that are worth keeping an eye on. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of these players.
Kaide Gordon
Born in Derby, Kaide joined local side Derby County in 2013 at under 9 level. He made his senior debut for the club on 29 December 2020 as a substitute. A few months later, Gordon joined Liverpool on the 5th February 2021 for a fee of £1 million, raising to £3 million with add-ons.
The young winger impressed numerous times last season as he was handed plenty of chances to show out for the Reds in both domestic cups – the first of which came in September 2021 at Carrow Road in a 3-0 win over Norwich City in the EFL Cup.
He became Liverpool’s second youngest ever goal-scorer in any competition, as he bagged in the 3rd round of the FA Cup against Shrewsbury.
Unfortunately Gordon has been side-lined due to a pelvic injury and having not played since February 2022, the 18-year-old will be looking to hit the ground running upon his return.
Tyler Morton
Born on Merseyside, Morton turned down an offer to join the Everton youth academy aged 7 and has been with the Reds ever since.
He made his debut for the under 18s in 2019, and moved up to the under 23s the very next season.
Fast-forward to the present day, Morton has just signed a well-deserved contract renewal and is currently continuing his stint on loan at Blackburn, just as Harvey Elliott did before him.
The holding-midfielder appeared for Liverpool’s first-team 9 times in 2021/22 – two of those appearances were in the Champions League. This season on loan, Morton has played 29 times, picking up valuable minutes for his development.
Could he come in and play a role in a struggling midfield next season?
Stefan Bajcetic
Son of former footballer Srdan Bajcetic, Stefan learned his trade in the Celta Vigo youth set-up before joining Liverpool in December 2020.
His talent and dedication was rewarded with a new contract in August 2022 and he appeared for the first time as a professional the very same month. Only 2 weeks later he made his Champions League debut against Ajax – albeit only for the final few seconds – but in doing so he became the club’s youngest ever player in the Champions League, beating a record set previously by another on this list.
Comfortable on the ball, confident in the tackle and willing to learn, Klopp has given Bajcetic more minutes this season as he looks for answers. Many fans are clamouring for Bajcetic to be given more responsibility – but trust the process Reds, Liverpool have a gem on their hands here.
Ben Doak
Another player given his debut for the senior squad this year is Ben Doak – who made his debut for his former club, Celtic, at only 16 years of age! He also plays for the Scotland U21s, where he became their youngest ever goal-scorer.
Doak arrived from Celtic in March 2022 for a fee of £600,000. This move came only two months after his debut in Scotland. The tricky winger has impressed with his ball control and confidence when appearing for the first team this season.
Being a regular in the U18s and even the U23s this season, with 21 appearances in all competitions, Liverpool will be hoping the Scotsman can continue his development.
Billy Koumetio
The colossal 20 year old has just been recalled from a loan with Austria Wien. Klopp’s Liverpool side were concerned about his playing time abroad and feel his development is better nurtured at home.
The French central defender proved his parent club right when he scored two goals in his first game back with the academy – one of which came from his own half!
Before Stefan Bajcetic took his record, he was the youngest player to turn out in the Champions League for Liverpool. This wasn’t his first taste of a special European night at Anfield, Billy was a ball boy for Liverpool’s incredible 4-0 comeback against Barcelona in 2019!
Now into his fourth year at the club, ‘Billy the Kid’ will be looking to break into the first team with more consistency.
Tradition stands even in modern days
Liverpool Football Club have always been a proud club and expect the highest standards from their players, whether they’re in the first team or the academy. These players coming through are being moulded by decades of tradition, to be the best players they can – but also the best men that they can be. They follow in the footsteps of legends, walk the halls of an establishment steeped in history and success, they have a lot of pressure on their shoulders, but they don’t walk alone.
The sort of lad I am looking for is a kid who will nutmeg Kevin Keegan in training, then step aside him in the corridor.
Bob Paisley on the type of young player he wanted a Liverpool Football Club
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