more deep vibes on our youth program from the boss. it's evident to me that we are in excellent hands.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/klopp-id-love-bring-10-12072783Jurgen Klopp is excited about the calibre of young talent emerging from the Liverpool Academy.
Trent Alexander-Arnold could become the latest teenager to make his senior Reds debut in Tuesday night’s EFL Cup tie with Tottenham at Anfield. The talented full-back from West Derby turned 18 earlier this month and has been on the club’s books since the age of six.
Midfielder Ovie Ejaria, who was handed his first-team bow in the win at Derby in the previous round, is also in contention as Klopp prepares to field a much changed side.
“I think there’s a lot to say about a few of our young players,” Klopp said.
“The problem is that it’s not for public (discussion) because they are still young and they are really in a good way. That is why they are completely involved in the training sessions and everything we are doing.
“We are really happy about the situation. One of the reasons why it is so easy for them to use the situation of training with world-class players and improving every day is because they don’t have to think about anything else. We try to keep this situation as long as possible.”
Ben Woodburn is another highly-rated youngster whose development has benefited greatly from time spent with the first-team squad at Melwood.
Klopp believes Liverpool are reaping the rewards of changing their approach to the use of loans. Fewer young players have gone out to other clubs on temporary deals this season because the manager wanted them to stay put to continue learning their trade.
“It’s good. We spoke a few months ago about how we should change a little bit the second team,” he said.
“A lot of players needed to stay here and play together in a really good team - get results, score goals and win games, plus the opportunity to train with us in different moments.
“The other way was to send them on loan at 17 or 18 years. We did this with a few players. That was a decision because of the squad.
“For example Ryan Kent (who is on loan at Barnsley) was really close to the first team, too good for the under-23s. We could give him a loan and he looks like a person that could do this. That was an individual decision for him and a few others too.
“To keep a lot of these players here and let them play together was a real decision we made. They are doing really well.”
Liverpool U23s are flying high in Premier League Two and Klopp was delighted with their 2-0 win over leaders Everton in Sunday’s mini derby.
“It’s good to see how they improve,” he said.
“Even the players who don’t play too often because the squad is too strong but then come in as they did on Sunday against Everton. The whole squad has confidence in the moment.
The dream is to have a few of them in the red shirt of Liverpool
“It’s good for their development and good for us that we can make the joys and decisions about their futures at LFC.
“If we have to make a decision that a player is not good enough for the Liverpool first-team then they need to be good enough for another Premier League club or minimum a Championship club. That is what we have to create, we have to give them the opportunity and that is what we are doing.
“They can still stay a little longer in their situation and be patient, they can use the time in the corner with not the biggest public watching, not lots of people asking about you and watching each step of you. Hopefully we can bring through a few of them in the red shirt of Liverpool at Anfield in the first-team. That is the dream of all of us.”
Klopp believes a lack of patience in the modern game means clubs can be too quick to write off the chances of emerging youngsters.
But the German coach will always look within the Liverpool Academy ranks for someone capable of stepping up to Melwood before he considers entering the transfer market.
“Of course it’s cool if we have 10 players from the Academy and we make no signing in the transfer window,” Klopp added.
“I would love to be part of the press conference when I say this! ‘No signings this year’. Then it would be: ‘But we need this, this, this and this’. I’d say: ‘But we have already’ and nobody would believe me.
“Once a year I have to listen to all the questions: ‘Is he really in a position to play in the first team?’ It makes it easier but it’s only a thing we have to do. It’s kind of an agreement.
“These boys start training pretty early in their lives at Kirkby. We have to deliver the best education on the pitch and next to the pitch that we can. They have to deliver the perfect attitude. They are already skilled.
“All they do – except when they are in school – is invest in football. At the end it’s our responsibility that they come through a lot more than in the last few years.
“Why was it easier 20 years ago? I don’t know if it was easier. Meanwhile it’s really difficult because nobody is really patient any more. In England you don’t have youth tournaments for under-23s. Maybe the under-18s, people are interested in a tournament.
“There is no real challenge or tournament or competition. It is kind of a friendly game but the best players you cannot really judge them. Then it starts immediately when they are 18. There is a final judgement: ‘Not good enough’.
“We hope we can give them a little bit longer, give them a little more time and leave them in the club under our wings if you want and bring them in the right moment. That is the plan.”
