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As we saw in this year's edition of the Carabao Cup final, where Liverpool managed to overcome Todd Boehly's Chelsea in a 1-0 win, the Reds' academy is bursting at the seams with talent.
However, it's not like this season's group of academy graduates isn't just a one-off 'golden generation.' Over the years, the Merseyside clubs' youth teams have produced an abundance of talent with many going on to have long, successful careers in the Premier League.
Of course, arguably the most famous of those who rose through the ranks at Liverpool is that of Steven Gerrard.
The current Al-Ettifaq manager was one of the best midfielders of all time in England's top flight and managed to amass a total of 710 appearances across all competitions for the Reds. During that time, he managed to contribute to a total of 343 goals and cement himself as one of the all-time greats.
Another example of a success story from within Liverpool is that of Trent Alexander-Arnold. The 25-year-old has been with his hometown club for the entirety of his youth and senior career.
After bursting on the scene thanks to his first senior appearance for Liverpool in 2016 against Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the League Cup, he was quickly able to establish himself as a first-team regular.
He has played a total of 303 times for Jurgen Klopp and, despite being just 25-years-old, has managed to etch his name into the history books of the Premier League.
During those 303 games, he has assisted his teammates a total of 86 times, with 58 of those managing to come in England's top flight. A feat which has only been matched by his teammate, Andy Robertson.
Since the left-back's arrival in the summer of 2017 for the meagre fee of £8m, the pair have been in something of a competition to see who can get the most assists in a season.
With the way that Klopp lines his team up, the full-backs are often involved in the attack. However, in recent months, he has started to play Alexander-Anrold in a much more advanced role, which has allowed him to be involved in the attack more often than not.
He is now facing compettiong from a certain Conor Bradley, a young star of recent times since breaking into the first-team set-up. He relished a battle with Ben Chilwell in the Carabao Cup final and has already registered five assists this term.
Despite the prominent rise of Alexander-Arnold and Bradley, for some of their academy talent, it feels as if it isn't meant to be. This was, unfortunately, the case for Ben Woodburn. He was a player who had the world at his feet and a young individual who should have been in Bradley's shoes now given the billing he received as a teenager.
Woodburn joined the Reds' academy whilst he was young and first represented the team at an U7s level. His talent was so obvious that Liverpool even arranged for a driver to pick him up and drop him off at their Kirby base to get the youngster to training.
After spending some time within the youth ranks of the club and even being made a part of the Reds' "Futures Group," at just 15-years-old, he was placed within the U18s squad.
After further impressing with the older age groups and in training sessions, the attacking midfielder was called up to Liverpool's first team and was given some game time in their pre-season friendlies for the 2016/17 season.
In fact, in November 2016, alongside Alexander-Arnold and Kevin Stewart, Woodburn signed his first professional deal with the club and later went on to make his senior debut for Liverpool in that same season.
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Starting XI for Woodburn's first senior start |
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FA Cup: Liverpool 0-0 Plymouth, January 2017 |
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GK – Loris Karius |
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RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold |
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CB – Lucas Leiva |
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CB – Joe Gomez |
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LB – Alberto Moreno |
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CM – Kevin Stewart |
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CM – Emre Can |
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CM – Ovie Ejaria |
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RW – Sheyi Ojo |
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LW – Ben Woodburn |
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ST – Divock Origi |
Speaking on the aforementioned trio getting their first senior deals, Klopp said the following: "This is really positive news, of course, and it's brilliant we have acted decisively to show our intent with our young players.
"With Kev [Stewart] it is maybe a little different. He is, of course, established with us now and making a contribution as an important member of our first-team squad.
"Trent spends most of his time with the first team in this moment and is progressing each and every day. Ben is in those earlier stages and has a lot of developing to do still – but wow, what an exciting talent he is.
"All three of these players are big talents and are at different stages of their development, but it is development that is key, and they must continue to learn and improve to achieve their full potential."
Ian Rush also chimed in with his thoughts on the youngster and claimed that he thought that he was a "top talent."
During a solid debut campaign, Woodburn managed a total of nine appearances for the Reds' first-team squad and even became the Anfield club's youngest-ever goalscorer after slotting one past Leeds in a League Cup quarter-final.
However, in the 2017/18 campaign, Woodburn's appearances started to drop off somewhat, with the Wales international only managing to play in two senior games. He was, however, named on the shortlist for the 2018 Golden Boy award.
After this below-par term, this was when the youngster spent time out on loan with other clubs in order to find some game time and attempt to reinvigorate his development.
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2018 Golden Boy: The Top 5 |
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#5 Vinicius Jr |
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#4 Patrick Cutrone |
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#3 Justin Kluivert |
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#2 Trent Alexander-Arnold |
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#1 Matthijs de Ligt |
His first loan move was to that of Sheffield United where he managed a total of eight appearances but didn't manage to chip in with any goals or assists. Granted, his time with the Blades was cut short due to an ankle injury which resulted in the Reds recalling him.
The following three seasons were also met with underwhelming spells at Oxford United, Blackpool and Hearts. Across each of these spells with the clubs, he only amassed a total of 57 appearances whilst contributing to a mere 11 goals.
Indeed, the injuries he has suffered throughout his short career need to be taken into account, however, it feels as if Woodburn was a talent which has been wasted.
At just 22-years-old, the attacking-midfielders Liverpool contract was allowed to be run down which meant Woodburn had the chance to move from his boyhood club on a free transfer.
This opportunity managed to allow Liverpool's youngest-ever goalscorer to find himself playing for Preston North End in the Championship.
Following his departure, he left a message to the Reds on his Instagram which expressed his gratitude for the time he spent at Liverpool.
Although you'd have hoped that this story was going to end with the now 24-year-old finding his feet at Preston, this couldn't be further from the truth.
In the two seasons he has been at Deepdale, the youngster has managed a total of 62 games and has only managed to score three goals. To make matters worse, none of those three have even come in the 2023/24 campaign.
Despite being touted as one of the next best things at Liverpool, it now seems as if his career is stagnating and all that promise he once showed is nowhere to be seen.
It's sad to think that, if he had kept on the same sort of development path as his former teammate, Alexander-Arnold has, he could've also had a 2023/24 Carabao Cup winners' medal around his neck.
Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Melvine Malard from Lyon after her successful loan spell at the club.
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Wolverhampton Wanderers have been fantastic this season, with the arrival of Gary O’Neil looking like one of the signings of the season.
With 11 Premier League games to go, Wolves are already only three points behind their final points tally from last season, further highlighting the progress made.
Furthermore, their activity in the transfer market has enabled them to maintain sustainable success on the field, recruiting well after sales.
With that in mind, there’s a current Wolves player who was signed way before O’Neil’s reign, with a transfer value rising in price all the time.
In 2020, Rayan Ait Nouri joined the Wanderers on a season-long loan from French side Angers, and he instantly slotted into Nuno Espírito Santo’s left-wing back role, showcasing his “enormous potential,” as per Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig.
Over the 2020/21 campaign, the 5-foot-11 engine featured rather heavily in the Premier League, playing 21 times and picking up a goal and an assist.
The Algerian defender impressed enough for Wolves to buy him permanently at the end of the season, splashing £9.5m to acquire Ait Nouri’s signature after Bruno Lage had just entered the building.
The number three continued to thrive in his third season at the club, starting 20 matches, but last season he barely played at all, with both Lage and Julen Lopetegui benching Ait Nouri.
Nonetheless, his turn around this season has been fantastic to see, and his value is now reflecting his quality.
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At the start of the campaign, O’Neil opted for a four-at-the-back formation up until Wolves’ 2-1 win against Manchester City in September, when he used a 3-4-3 variant.
From that point on, the three-back system has stuck, with Ait Nouri being deployed in the left-wing back position, which is where he can truly perform to his potential.
The 22-year-old has already started 20 matches this campaign, becoming a key player in Wolves’ intense, all-action approach that demands energy and technical class from the wide defenders.
In recent weeks, Ait Nouri has really stepped up, assisting Pablo Sarabia’s goal in the 1-0 win over Sheffield United, to the point where he’s now one of the most valuable players in the Wolves squad.
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Wolves Squad Value |
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|---|---|
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Player |
Value |
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Matheus Cunha |
£51m |
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Ait Nouri |
£26m |
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Hwang Hee-chan |
£26m |
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Toti Gomes |
£26m |
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Pedro Neto |
£17m |
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Via CIES' Football Observatory |
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As you can see, only Matheus Cunha is estimated to be worth more than the former Angers ace, which is incredible considering he cost less than £10m.
This means that Ait Nouri’s value has increased by 173% since moving to the club, and if he keeps performing at the level he has this season, then that upward trend is only set to continue.
In short, there isn’t a better profile for Wolves left-wing back role, and they truly hit the jackpot by signing the flying fullback, who the club can now collect a healthy profit from if they do decide to sell him in the near future.
Liverpool were beaten by Preston North End in a behind-closed-doors friendly, with Mo Salah and Harvey Elliott getting minutes.
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Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix is hoping to miss the club's pre-season tour as he tries to secure a move away from Diego Simeone's side.
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The Unai Emery revolution continues at Aston Villa, with the Spaniard guiding his side into the quarter-final of the Europa Conference League courtesy of a thumping 4-0 win over Eredivisie giants Ajax on Thursday evening.
With the tie finely poised following the goalless draw away in Amsterdam last week, the Villans took control of proceedings in the early stages, with red-hot marksman Ollie Watkins bagging his 22nd goal in all competitions – and his sixth in Europe this season – inside 25 minutes.
Despite subsequently losing the England international to injury, the hosts – who were no doubt aided by Sivert Mannsverk's second-half dismissal – utilised their man advantage to brutal effect, with goals from Leon Bailey, John Duran and Moussa Diaby sealing a famous win under the Villa Park lights.
What a way it was to bounce back from their humbling loss to top-four rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, although that's not to say that it was all rosy for Emery and co on the night, with Morgan Rogers among a handful of starters who struggled to impact proceedings…
Plucked from Championship side Middlesbrough back in January after registering 16 goal involvements in the first half of the season, the promising youngster is understandably still finding his feet in his new surroundings, as was evident against the Dutch outfit.
Having not featured during the dismal defeat at the hands of Spurs, Rogers was thrust into the fray from the outset on Thursday evening, the 21-year-old lining up on the left flank as part of a formidable forward line.
While the likes of Bailey, Diaby and Watkins all made their mark after getting onto the scoresheet, the young Englishman, meanwhile, was wholly ineffective in that wide berth, having been restricted to a measly total of just 12 touches.
Although the new arrival did enjoy a 100% pass accuracy rate and managed to register two key passes to help spark two openings prior to Watkins' early header, it was no real surprise to see him hooked at the break, with Emery perhaps holding fears that the winger could see red after picking up an early yellow card.
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The £8m addition may well find himself on the substitutes' bench for this weekend's trip to West Ham United, although he wasn't alone in having struggled on the left flank last night, with full-back Alex Moreno also "toiling" – as per The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell.
It may be harsh to be too critical of any Villa star following the nature of that statement win, although it is fair to say that Moreno was not at his best even amid the 4-0 triumph, with Birmingham Live's John Townley notably writing that the Spaniard 'struggled in the first half and was beaten on a few occasions on the wing'.
Subsequently awarded an unspectacular 6/10 match rating by Townley following that critical assessment, the left-back's woes were also showcased by the fact that he was particularly errant on the ball, having squandered possession on 17 occasions – more than any other player for either side.
Although the former Real Betis man was able to contribute one key pass in that quest to provide some attacking thrust from his defensive berth, he did fail to successfully complete either of his two dribbles, having also been unable to complete a single cross.
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Alex Moreno's stats vs Ajax |
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90 minutes |
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55 touches |
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80% pass accuracy rate |
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17x possession lost |
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2/5 ground duels won |
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1/2 aerial duels won |
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1 key pass |
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0/2 dribbles completed |
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via Sofascore |
Not only something of liability going forward, the 30-year-old also came up short defensively after winning just three of his seven total duels and being notably outmuscled by Chupa Akpom just before the break, with teammate Lucas Digne no doubt ready to pounce on those woes by returning to the side on Sunday.
While Emery may not wish to change a winning team, having an experienced fixture like Digne in reserve should allow the former Arsenal boss the chance to shuffle his pack accordingly, as Villa continue their pursuit of Champions League qualification.
Niclas Fullkrug has left Borussia Dortmund as he is on the verge of completing a move to West Ham.
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Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool tenure has been punctuated with silverware and he might secure the coveted prize that is the Premier League title for the second time this season, right at the end of an illustrious near-nine-year reign.
There has been much to sing about throughout this balmy period of the club's modern history, with stunning transfer additions marrying into Klopp's high-octane, heavy-metal brand of football.
Moreover, the academy has flowered into prominence and Liverpool now welcome exciting teenage talents into the first-team with constancy, such players making a big impact on the club's pursuit of success this term.
It hasn't always been this way, with the Reds somewhat devoid of top-class homegrown talents in the years preceding – and the first years of – Klopp's conquest on Merseyside.
That is, of course, barring a certain anomaly known as Trent Alexander-Arnold, who opened his account with a free-kick against Hoffenheim in 2017, billed by pundit Peter Crouch as a ball-playing sensation just as good as erstwhile icons Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso.
Liverpool has since gone from strength to strength and boast an institution as efficient and accomplished as any at the height of the continental scene, and while Alexander-Arnold remains the cream of the crop, it's exciting that so many promising talents are stretching their way into the senior set-up.
It's a good thing too, because, as terrifying and unfathomable as it may be, some alarming news has surfaced recently suggesting that the club's vice-captain is on the radar of one of the biggest clubs in the business.
Alexander-Arnold, a bit like his footballing forebear Gerrard, embodies Liverpool, typifies the rich era under Klopp's leadership. The 25-year-old plying his trade elsewhere is hard to grasp, much like futile attempts to recall an elusive dream – in this case: a nightmare.
But with Alexander-Arnold out of contract in 2025, La Liga giants Real Madrid are lurking around and would only be too happy to snap the dynamo up, with long-time stalwart Dani Carvajal now aged 32.
This is concerning news and even the most sanguine of Liverpool supporters would recognise the unparalleled pulling power of Real Madrid, who would love to lure the England international to Santiago Bernabeu to play alongside friend and Three Lions teammate Jude Bellingham, at one of the most prestigious outfits in European history.
This being said, it's important not to lose a sense of proportion at this stage, with Liverpool's recent appointments of Michael Edwards (FSG's CEO of Football) and Richard Hughes (new sporting director) now pumping stability and a direction that was not there – or at least was not focused – until this month.
Should Alexander-Arnold search for pastures new, however, it's crucial that Liverpool find a new poster boy to galvanise the squad and supporters both at the start of this new chapter.
Well, there are plenty of teenagers filtering through right now, but in Trent Kone-Doherty, who has yet to make his senior debut, Liverpool could find the youngster fit to lead the club for years to come.
Liverpool signed Kone-Doherty from his Irish homeland club Derry City in 2022 and after impressing during the 2022/23 campaign, he signed his first professional contract in October, winning over the Liverpool youth bosses.
Last season, the 17-year-old youth bagged ten goals from 20 appearances, notably scoring against Manchester United and Manchester City in successive matches in the U18 Premier League.
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Trent Kone-Doherty: Goals by Position 23/24 |
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Position |
Apps |
Goals |
Assists |
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Left wing |
9 |
9 |
1 |
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Right wing |
7 |
3 |
1 |
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Stats via Transfermarkt |
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This term, the electric-paced player has taken his game to the next level and has plundered eight goals and two assists from nine matches in the U18 top-flight, also scoring three goals from four games in the FA Youth Cup, notably clinching a brace in a stunning 7-1 victory over Arsenal.
He might not have made his senior debut for the Merseyside outfit but he's yet to see his 18th birthday and offers a prolificness that speaks of his brilliance and potential for growth.
The teenage talent pronounced himself as "fearless" and he will certainly need to maintain this bold confidence – mixed with humility and diligence, of course – if he is to succeed under the Anfield lights.
While a myriad of Kirkby academy stars are breaking into Liverpool's senior squad at the moment, Kone-Doherty needs only continue the trajectory he is on to leapfrog his peers into the Liverpool first-team, with Edwards' shrewd eye for talent certain to notice his skills.
Speaking of winger's ability, U18s coach Marc Bridge-Wilkinson said this: "He's a very good player and showed he can finish, he can go on the outside, and whether or not he's up against people who are bigger or a lot stronger, he still has the ability and football brain to go past people."
His two-footed laterality suggests that he can be shaped into a top-class talent with a range of different strengths, not pigeonholed into one category but, rather, capable of flourishing in numerous areas.
This natural sense of dynamism will serve Kone-Doherty well as he strives to emerge as the latest Liverpool starlet at some point, and while it's unlikely that he will grace the field in 2023/24. However, if he knuckles down during the off-season he could be in line for a big year ahead.
Liverpool might just find the prolific talent to ensure the club keeps firing after Klopp steps down from his position at the end of the campaign, with Kone-Doherty emulating his namesake and confirming Liverpool's academy's stature.
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