The Liverpool youngster will be at the club for some time yet
Before the start of the season many Liverpool fans had probably forgotten Kevin Stewart was even amongst the youth ranks, having signed on a free transfer after being released by Spurs at the end of season in 2014.
The now 22 year old had quietly impressed on various loan spells, grabbing the odd goal and generally looking quite commanding in the centre of the field.
But it was only with Jurgen Klopp’s arrival at Anfield that Stewart started to show what he was capable of. A debut in the FA Cup third round against Exeter showed that Stewart had what it takes to mix it with the big boys and a handful more cup games followed before coming off the bench in his first Premier League game recently.
The culmination of all the 22 year old’s hard work was seen as he signed a new contract which keeps him at Anfield until 2020; something you can be sure Jurgen Klopp had a big hand in.
And speaking to Liverpoolfc.com following putting pen to paper yesterday, Stewart said: “It gives me more confidence, it shows [the club] believes in me and believe that I could go on to become a good player for them.
“It has just given me confidence in myself and the security [I have] time to prove myself and get better with good coaches and good players.”
For a player that was consigned to the proverbial ‘scrap heap’ by Spurs, Stewart must have had concerns for his future before signing for Liverpool and now having his future secured for the next four years, the youngster can focus on continuing his development at the top.
He continued: “It took me until the age of 22 to make my debut and all those years I was just wondering what it’d be like, how difficult it would be, and if I’d cope playing in front of so many fans against Premier League players.
“It’s maybe just relaxed my mind a little bit.
“Okay, I’ve not played too many [games] but just getting there and playing against [big] teams and in the Premier League has calmed my mind.”
With the FA Cup no longer a prospect and the Capital One Cup final on Sunday, there are two less cup competitions for Stewart to be involved in but the signing of a new long-term contract indicates he’ll have a much greater involvement in the squad going forward and we’re likely to see much more of him this season.
