Four Upcoming Liverpool Stars to Watch This Season

Liverpool managers do not tend to enjoy quiet summer holidays and for Brendan Rodgers it is no different. The annual Luis Suarez saga has reared its ugly head once again, only this time it could be for the final time should the Uruguayan move to Barcelona.

Therefore, a summer which was already likely to be busy for Liverpool will soon become hectic, with an additional transfer objective now apparent in seeking replacements for Suarez.

Furthermore, any money left over from the deal (along with the supposed £60m net budget for Rodgers according to Ian Ayre) is set to be used to improve every other area of the squad, as there is not a single position that could not be improved.

Yet some of the replacements may already be within Anfield’s walls. With one of the best youth set ups in the world, there are many examples of players that have come of age in the Liverpool red. The most recent example is Raheem Sterling, now one of the world’s best teenagers.

Even Daniel Sturridge, not from Liverpool’s academy but a young player who was wasting his potential at Chelsea and Manchester City, is now showcasing his obvious ability consistently on the biggest stages.

Some have already played for the club, others have gone out on loan to gain precious experience. Rodgers has never been one to ignore the pool of talent at his disposal, although there are some of Liverpool’s younger players that have to make the step up this season, otherwise they may be shipped out permanently.

Suso –

The 20 year old Spaniard delighted former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez by rejecting Barcelona and Real Madrid to join Liverpool’s academy in 2010, impressing in the Reds’ reserves and helping Spain to European Championship glory in the Under-19s in 2012.

Under Rodgers, Suso made his first team debut and impressed in his Premier League debut against Manchester United. However, increased competition from Sturridge and Coutinho severely restricted his first team opportunities and last season he went on loan to Spanish side Almeria.

He enjoyed a very productive season in La Liga, with 3 goals and 9 assists and is now looking to make his mark at Anfield.

However, recently Suso has been linked with a move away, with Portuguese giants FC Porto apparently keen, as it seems likely that the attacking midfielder will struggle again to start under Rodgers, despite his impressive loan spell.

He is capable of playing out wide as well as in a No.10 role, and his impressive start left many fans wondering why Luis Alberto was signed when Suso was already at the club. Quick feet, skilful and with very good vision and passing range, if Suso is willing to work hard he could yet break into the Liverpool team this season.

Fabio Borini –

Another player with an uncertain future, many eyebrows were raised when Borini became Rodgers’ first signing as Liverpool manager for £10m from Italian giants AS Roma.

After an injury-plagued first season, where he was better at missing than scoring goals (still remember that Hearts miss in the Europa League), the Italian went on loan to Sunderland last season.

Like Suso, he was impressive and became a crowd favourite in the North-East, scoring 10 goals in 40 appearances.

Still only 23, he is versatile and now has the confidence and experience to succeed at Premier League level after a full season under his belt.

The question remains over whether he can cope with the level of consistency and expectation demanded at a club like Liverpool, as well as move up a pecking order that includes Rickie Lambert, Sturridge and (for now) Suarez. At worst he is a valuable squad player for the Reds.

Conor Coady –

As home-grown as you could get, Conor Coady grew up supporting Liverpool, came through their academy system and has captained at several youth levels for club and country, including at the Under-20 World Cup and for Liverpool’s reserves.

He went on loan at Sheffield United and cemented a first team place with the League One side, making 50 appearances and scoring 6 goals as they reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and finished 7th in the league.

Coady has been mentioned as a possible future successor to Steven Gerrard, his role model, but has a long way to go before achieving any kind of comparable status.

With Joe Allen, Lucas Leiva, Gerrard, Jordan Henderson and new signing Emre Can in the way of a midfield place, Coady will have to hope that at least one of Lucas or Allen leaves the club. That way, if Liverpool excel on all four fronts this season, Coady should get chances to play.

If he can take those chances, he may have a future at the club.

Andre Wisdom –

The captain of the England Under-21s, Andre Wisdom is Liverpool’s very own Micah Richards (apart from the constant injuries). Strong as an ox, quick but also able to read the game well, Wisdom has played the majority of his precious Liverpool appearances at right-back, despite his natural position as a centre-back.

Another who has profited from a loan spell, making 38 appearances last season for Derby County, Wisdom is part of a group of players increasingly threatening the once secure position of Glen Johnson, a 29 year old defensive liability with only one year left on his contract.

Jon Flanagan, at 21, has already established himself in the first team at left back and will now look to challenge Johnson on the right, while Wisdom is also 21 and Martin Kelly is another option.

Buying another right back seems a luxury this season rather than a necessity as Johnson, despite his faults, is still a very good attacking full back and his experience should help the likes of Flanagan and Wisdom to come through, ideally this season.

There is a conveyor belt of talent on Liverpool’s books, many of whom were not mentioned above.

Up front, Jordon Ibe has been described by Daniel Sturridge as ‘the future of Liverpool and England’, while Samed Yesil is one of Germany’s most promising strikers, although both are likely to go out on loan this season.

Luis Alberto struggled last season and has already departed for Malaga on loan, while Jerome Sinclair holds the record for the youngest Liverpool debutant at 16 years and 6 days and has been described as a talent on the same level as Raheem Sterling.

Another youth record belongs to Harry Wilson, the youngest Welsh debutant, while foreigners Joao Teixeira and Tiago Ilori will want to prove themselves at Anfield this season. Ilori in particular will be keen to justify his £7m price tag from Sporting Lisbon last summer.

Overall though, there is no doubt that Liverpool do have potential stars at their disposal provided that they are willing to knuckle down to realise their ability and play at the top level consistently, with the coaches keeping them in check.

Despite the antics of Suarez, the future is bright for Liverpool Football Club.