Their introductions were earlier than expected. Their task, a simple one: to become the cream of Merseyside. Their names may not roll off the tongue as instinctively as the likes of Carragher, Gerrard and Owen, but for Liverpool fans it’s very much watch this space.
Andre Wisdom
An imposing defender, who can play in the centre or right-back position as well as the defensive midfield role, the 19-year-old is tactically astute, technically proficient with the ball, strong in the air and a willing tackler. Poached from Bradford City at the age of 14, the Yorkshire-born youngster captained the England U17s to victory in the 2010 UEFA European U-17 Football Championships. He made his Liverpool debut in the 5-3 victory away to Young Boys in the Europa League Group Stages, scoring two goals in the process.
Jack Robinson
The left-back became the club’s second-youngest player (16 years and 250 days) to don the famous red jersey when he made a cameo appearance under Rafael Benítez in the Barclays Premier League fixture against Hull City in the final game of the 2009-2010 season. His first-team chances have since been limited, as he continues to play second fiddle to current first-team left-back, José Enrique. Nonetheless, his two appearances in the Europa League Group Stages, most notably in Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat at the hands of Udinese, have drawn praise.
Jonjo Shelvey
Loaned out to Blackpool for part of last season, the 20-year-old made an instant impact, scoring 6 goals in 10 ten games. He’ll have to wait a while longer to establish himself as a regular first-team starter as Joe Allen, Steven Gerrard and Real Madrid loanee Nuri Åžahin look to build on their promising midfield partnership. Shelvey has excellent vision and awareness on the ball however his naivety has shown, notably receiving a red card for his two-footed lunge on Jonny Evans against Manchester United earlier this season.
Raheem Sterling
English football’s new bright hope? The 17-year-old winger has grabbed all the back page headlines this season with a string of eye-catching performances. Lightning quick, tricky with his feet and with a natural eye for goal, the Jamaican-born teenager, signed from Queens Park Rangers in February 2010 for £500,000, is the most exciting prospect to come out of Anfield in the last few years. Rave reviews earned him a somewhat premature call-up to the England first-team squad for their 2014 World Cup Qualifying match against Ukraine in September.
Suso
Or Jesús Joaquín Fernández Sáez de la Torre, to go by his full name. The Cádiz-born midfielder, who rejected the overtures of Barcelona and Real Madrid before signing for The Reads in 2009, made his name in the 2011-2012 NextGen series, scoring 5 goals in 17 appearances. The 18-year-old impressed again for Spain in this year’s UEFA U-19 European Championships and during the club’s pre-season tour of the USA and Canada. His consistent threat and assist-laden performances on the right-wing have seen him start Liverpool’s last three competitive games.
Adam Morgan
Big things are expected of the Merseyside-born striker who has already been compared to former Kop legend Robbie Fowler, whom he ‘hero worshipped’ from an early age. The prolific 6 ft 1⁄2 in left-footed attacker finished top of the goalscoring charts for the U-18s during the 2010-2011 season with 21 goals to his name. With a natural predatory-like goalscoring instinct and with the first-team currently enduring a shortage in the striking department, Morgan may yet get a chance to display his credentials on the big stage this season.
Samed YeÅŸil
The striker’s surprise summer move from Bayer Leverkusen this summer may have gone under the radar but Liverpool have undoubtedly acquired one of the brightest talents in German football. A skilled, two-footed striker who can also play on the wings, the 18-year-old Turkish-German scored 57 goals in 71 games for Bayer’s youth teams in the last two seasons. Whilst initially he may lack the necessary physical strength and technique needed for a player in his position in the Barclays Premier League, YeÅŸil still has time on his side.
Twitter: @aleksklosok
