On their arrival on Merseyside, John W Henry and Fenway Sports Group stated that they were planning a long term strategy for Liverpool Football Club. In a question and answer email with the Red and White Kop fans site, Henry had stated that he had already been to the Kirkby academy to meet Under 18s coach Rodolfo Borrell and Academy technical manager Pep Segura three times; a sure-fire indication that the American owner will focus heavily on youth in the coming years. The development of young players will be a crucial part of FSG’s long term strategy to rebuild the club.
It can also be ascertained then that any new signing in this transfer window or in the summer will be in line with this policy, and they have a Director of Football in place in Damien Comolli who has made his career picking out young talent from across Europe. In addition to this then, FSG will need a nucleus of good young players to build a team around, and below I have listed a number of relative young first team players, and up and coming youngsters they could make up the core of Liverpool’s future teams. With Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard moving into their thirties, I have omitted them from the list but they can still play a crucial part in helping develop the younger players.
1. Pepe Reina – Still only 28, the Spanish goalkeeper only signed a five year contract back in April and has reiterated his commitment to the club recently on a number of occasions. Maybe a future Reds captain?
2. Glen Johnson – Still 26, the England first choice right back has his best years ahead of him but uncertainty has grown about his future with reports suggesting he wants a move abroad. The Reds need to keep hold of their best players if they want to progress and FSG must show Johnson that he is in their future plans.
3. Daniel Agger – Injury has blighted the Dane’s time at Anfield since his arrival in 2006 but he is a talented player whose talent on the ball could be an important driving force for any future attack minded Liverpool team.
4. Martin Kelly – Already showing his promise at right back, his size and strength could make him an excellent centre-back in the years to come.
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Really like your article. We have some really good young players which I watch on LFCTV.
Ngoo and Suso are my favourites.
Footy10
Personally think Glen Johnsons days are numbered
Would like to add David Amoo and Nathan Eccleston to that list. If they but both need to be tested.
STERLING, INCE, KELLY, SUSO, PACHECO, NGOO, GULACSI, REINA, TORRES, JOHNSON, LUCUS, ECCLESTON, SPEARING,
I’d add Tony Silva and Dean Bouzanis to the list.
I’d also bring back Christopher Buchtmann and the two kids we sent to Fulham.
Good list David. I would however add Skrtel – although he has not been at his best since his injury last year, he provides Liverpool with the kind of no-nonsense defending which any team needs to be a winner. Also, I hope that Stevie G. continues playing as long as possible – the next generation need a role model like him to lead the transition. Finally, I would add Conor Coady and Ayala to the young players on your list – I think they both have the potential to evolve into first-team players.
Why are you talking about the future when our current style of play with a team full of internationalists is simply dreadful. Granted there are a lot of good young players coming through “thanks Rafa” i feel the present first team would be a more pressing subject. In ROY we dont trust.
In other words, you don’t rate Thomas Ince, right.
Neither does the guy rate Chris Mavinga, Daniel Ayala and Peter Gulacsi.
Would add Ngog to the list. Still only 21.
Got a problem with you saying that skrtel is either too old or not good enough.
He is more than capable of being our next rock at the back.
Meireles is not pass master like x.alonso is, he is more of a dynamic box to box midfielder.
but dont worry about gerrard getting old he is not going to retire for at least another six years. Besised i’m going to discover how to make him 25 again like i did on my game :D.
I cannot agree with Johnson or Leiva, although I will say that he has improved significantly, though he would not get into any of the top 5’s teams. I would add the names of Wisdom and Ayala, both of who I consider better prospects than Wilson.
hit the nail on the head.
some of these youngsters need more opportunity.
dani pacheco has the ability to change a game, and has done in the past.
why doesnt hodgeson read some of this stuff!! lol.
could help him keep his job.
Agree with a lot of the article there. Cant help but feel as though Tom Ince should be Number 15 in the list, whenever i see the highlights of the reserves, and lately the Notts County games, I feel he could become a good winger for us in the future. I just pray that we get a manager who knows how to properly nurture the young talent we have into the first team and really give the youngsters the best chance of improving as possible. Its such a shame to have seen so much potential slip away in the previous years.
Skyrtel and Lucas are substandard players. . Meireles hasn’t scored a goal yet but everyone thinks he is brilliant for some reason. Liverpool are one dimensional with Torres.
Have to agree with Kenny,i dont think Meireles has been that great. Def Hodgsons best signing but that wouldnt be hard would it. Give the kids a better chance ie Pacheco…..
Wht so biag deal about merieles ?
I can’t find alonso, masch or even a glimse of aquilani type of skills or ability in tht guy. Jst a substandard player , i rate Lucas much better than Merieles. And of Torres u can leave Liverpool pls ,if ur nt happy. U seem to b a shadow ,