Since Jurgen Klopp’s arrival in 2015, Liverpool’s academy has been utilised efficiently with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones now established members of the first-team.
With the Reds failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 2015-16 season, the Europa League could provide vital minutes to some of the younger members of Klopp’s squad.
In this article, we’re going to look at three youngsters that could break into Klopp’s first-team ρłɑɴs thɾօυɢҺout the 2023-24 campaign.
Conor Bradley:
The first name on our list is 19-year-old Conor Bradley, who spent last season out on loan at Bolton Wanderers in EFL League One.
Bradley was an ever-present at right-back for the Trotters, making an astonishing 53 appearances in all competitions across the season.
41 of those came in EFL League One, where he scored five goals and assisted five.
In all competitions, the teenager finished the season on seven goals and six assists from full-back, whilst also contributing to the second best defensive record in the entire league.
Bradley has also made three apperances for the Northern Ireland first-team and has been named as part of the squad for the upcoming Euro qualifiers.
Tactically, I believe the youngster could be an iԀєɑł backup for Alexander-Arnold in the classic 4-3-3 formation under Klopp as a natural wing-back.
However, I do still have reservations over Bradley’s ability to drift into midfield the way Trent does in the 3-4-3 box formation.
Ben Doak:
With recent ɾєρօɾτs thatLiverpoolwill not look to strengthen the forward line this summer, Ben Doak is possibly the most natural back-up option to Mohamed Salah.
Of course the likes of Diogo Jota can do a job on the right-hand side, but as a left-footed inside forward it would be between Harvey Elliott and Ben Doak.
The 17-year-old made five senior appearances for the Reds last season, following his move from Celtic in the summer.
Doak made his debut forLiverpoolas a substitute in the penalty shootout victory against Derby County in the Carabao Cup tie at Anfield in November.
On Boxing Day, Doak became the youngest Scottish player to ever play in the Premier League as he came on as a substitute against Aston Villa.
In 27 appearances for the Under-21’s, the winger has scored 11 goals and assisted eight.
I fully expect to see Doak make more appearances in the 23/24 season in the cup competitions and the Europa League, coming into the right-hand side of Liverpool’s attack to keep Mo Salah as fresh as possible.
Tyler Morton:
There has been contrasting ɾєρօɾτs regarding the future ρłɑɴs for Tyler Morton atLiverpool, after a largely successful loan spell at Blackburn Rovers last season.
Initially, Morton was tipped for a permanent move to Southampton as part of a player-plus-cash Ԁєɑł for Saints midfielder Romeo Lavia.
However, in recent days it has been ɾєρօɾτed that Jurgen Klopp is considering keeping the 20-year-old as a squad option for the upcoming season.
Morton made 46 appearances for Blackburn in all competitions last season, before a foot ιɴjυɾу saw him miss the last month of the campaign.
The youngster has shown much more maturity both physically and technically since moving on loan last season, making him a much more effective option for Jurgen Klopp.
Although Morton did feature on a few occasions in the 2021/22 season, if he stays on Merseyside I expect him to be used more regularly.
However, the brilliance of Stefan Bajcetic and further midfield signings could make things difficult for the youngster.
Either way, he’s definitely a player to keep an eye on as Klopp definitely sees potential in him.
