Liverpool’s Next Generation: Jurgen Klopp Names the Next in Line for a First-Team Opportunity
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been giving youth a chance to shine in the first team, and he recently named the next in line for an opportunity. With two more youngsters making their debuts and another his first start, Klopp has shown his faith in the club’s academy players.
Luke Chambers Makes His First Start
Luke Chambers started and both Calum Scanlon and James McConnell came off the bench as the Reds breezed past Toulouse for a 5-1 win in midweek. It was the perfect night for Klopp, who was able to make eight changes to his starting lineup while introducing new players to the fold.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, the manager explained that there could have been an even more youthful feel to the side if not for injury to Ben Doak and Bobby Clark. In Clark, Liverpool have the next teenager in line for an increased chance in the first team – having already started against Derby in the League Cup last season.
Klopp’s Faith in Youth
Such is the faith in Clark, 18, that Liverpool registered him in one of 25 slots in their senior squad for the Europa League while Adrian was omitted. Injury suffered with the U21s has kept him out in recent weeks, but with three group games left and a chance the Reds qualify for the last 16 as early as their next fixture, there is plenty of time left.
It has taken time for Klopp and the wider staff at Liverpool to cultivate such a strong academy, but in his post-match press conference the manager was effusive in his praise. “We 100 percent believe in [Chambers] and trust him. I wanted to show him that tonight,” Klopp said. “So in that position the next one is knocking on the door with Calum. Everybody could see, a really exciting player. A few situations where he got too excited, but a real talent and a real heartful footballer.”
The Future of Liverpool’s Youth
Klopp also spoke of Ben Doak and Bobby Clark, saying “We have a lot of good boys, we really trust them and we build on that.” He went on to say that James McConnell had played a sensational pre-season for them and had been given a new position on the six. He also mentioned Jarell Quansah who had played again.
The manager concluded by saying “So there are a lot of good boys coming up and it’s not enough that I tell him – which I do from time to time, not often – but sometimes you have to show when we have the opportunity to do so. Tonight we did and that’s good.”
It’s clear that Klopp has faith in Liverpool’s youth and is willing to give them a chance to prove themselves. With three group games left in the Europa League and a chance of qualifying for the last 16 as early as their next fixture, there is plenty of time left for more youngsters to make their mark on the first team.
It’s an exciting time for Liverpool fans as they watch their team’s next generation of stars take shape. With Klopp at the helm, there’s no telling what heights this team can reach.