Call Ups
Jordon Ibe (18 , Winger)
Young Ibe joined the academy from Wycombe in 2011. Whilst Raheem was still an academy player back then, the mere sight of the two racing down each flank in future years made us reds faithful very excited indeed, with most of us looking at the two as Liverpool's future attacking stars. The 18 year old has got it all in the grasps of his hands. The talent, trickery, pace, and most importantly, the time to develop, a long with a great desire to do so. The only thing Rodgers has yet to provide the youngster with is playing time, with Sterling being a major influence in that. With Liverpool back in the Champions League come next month, a long with the Fa Cup and Capital One Cup to battle out for, Jordon might find the season to come as a stepping stone to impress the boss and make his way into Liverpool's very hotly contested starting line up. Then again, that is exactly how Raheem's story planned out. Now, would that be the case, or is Rodgers looking to loan the star out yet again for some much needed experience?
Joao Carlos Teixeira (21 , Attacking Midfielder)
A very similar kind of player to our young gem Suso, Teixeira arrived carrying e very strong reputation a long with him. A play maker brought from Sporting Lisbon's ever so talented academy, the 21 year old was destined to be a star at the Anfield club. A couple of nasty injuries followed, and we were yet to see the best of the Portuguese midfielder. The same could not be said the season that just passed. Following an injury free campaign, and a first team debut to show for, we have seen exactly why Joao Carlos has been touted as the next big thing to emerge from our academy. As the youngster turns 22 in January, the 2014-2015 season may be pivotal in determining where his future lies,whether it is at Anfield or elsewhere. I personally rate him a bit higher than Suso. However, when the time comes, Rodgers has to make a huge decision on the two play makers, and who ever he decides to opt for will definitely prove to be a gem under our current boss.
Conor Coady (21 , Defensive Midfielder)
13th April, 2014. Conor Coady walks out onto a sunny Wembley pitch about to aid his loanee club Sheffield United set up an Fa Cup final clash with Arsenal. Sheffield lost that game, and the blades went crashing out, though a 21 year old exited that day a very happy and proud lad. The midfielder would have never seen a season like that coming his way this time last year, and with some vital experience gained up north, a long with a couple of MOTM performances to go with it, Brendan may look at Coady as somebody to introduce slowly to the first team set up come August. With only a few appearances on the bench, and a Europa League start to show for, Conor Coady may still find it very difficult indeed, and may yet seek a permanent move away, possibly to Sheffield United. The midfielder's grit and determination cannot be doubted though, and we would be loosing a rock of a player if Rodgers' does decide to go down that route and cash in.
Jordan Rossiter (17 , Midfielder)
Moving on to some younger players now, and it does not get much more promising as this. Voted Standard Chartered's young player of the season at the age of 17 is somewhat of an achievement in itself, which has called for a lot of well deserved praise heaped on the midfielder, including God himself, Robbie Fowler, touting the youngster as 'The Next Steven Gerrard'. The 17 year old's passion for the game, a long with his 100 % determination has seen him become a regular in Alex Inglethorpe's Under 21 side. We have seen goals added to his game too, which is normally a rarity for a defensive midfielder. Rodgers has already heaped massive praise on the lad, and has recently rewarded him with a call up to the first of our pre season matches, a loss to Brondby, which the lad played very well in. Can we see young Jordan break into the limelight this season, into a somewhat a weakened Defensive Midfielder position, or is it this season far too early for the 17 year old? One thing is certain, come the 2018 World Cup in Russia, we all know someone who will very much be in the England managers thoughts going into the tournament.
Harry Wilson (17 , Winger)
Holding the record for being the youngest player to represent your national team is not something to be taken lightly, and for Harry Wilson, it is just the beginning of a wonderful career ahead for the Welshman. With the teenager enduring a tremendous campaign with the Under 18's, which included 11 goals to show for at such a young age as well, Rodgers may already start feeling the urge to introduce the pacey winger come next season. Nicknames such as 'The Next Bale' being brandished about should not be taken light heartedly. The kid has got it all in the palm of his hands, and although we might have to wait a couple of more years to see Wilson in action with the first team, his pace and trickery alone should definitely get us reds excited for what the future brings. Let us face it, you know you've got a gem on your hands when your own father places a bet on you becoming the youngest player to represent your national colours.
Releases
Suso (20 , Attacking Midfielder)
There is no doubt I will get a lot of negative feedback about this particular one, but with rumours circulating around a possible exit for the Spaniard, I felt I had to include him over here. Suso has had an unbelievable season with Almeria, scoring three goals and assisting nine. The only disruption to a positive return to Anfield this summer is the current competition for places. With the likes of Coutinho, Sterling, Stevie G, Lallana, amongst others all fighting for a place in the starting line up, not to mention the players yet to be brought in this summer window, and one or two youth players eyeing a go themselves, the 20 year old may take his chances and try a crack elsewhere, with reports coming out of a possible move to Porto. A move in the summer, is, in my opinion, the best option for both parties. The little magician is not getting any younger, and needs a boost to further his career.
Kristoffer Peterson (20 , Winger)
If you are yet to hear of the him yet, Peterson is a 19 year old winger who has been in and around the youth academy ever since joining the club in 2011. The Swedish youngster is yet to get a proper first team call up as of yet, with one of only two first team appearances coming the other day. I have watched the Swede on numerous occasions for the Under 21's, including that second half stint the other day. Even after poaching the leveller, and his first professional goal for Liverpool, I personally do not think the 20 year old is a fit for Liverpool FC. He is just not good enough. His lack of mobility up front, added by the lack of a call up causing frustration are two of the main reasons why a release from the club should be imminent.
Jack Robinson (20 , Left Back)
The Liverpool born youngster, a long with Jon Flanagan, were two huge revelations under King Kenny. Whilst young Robbo starred in a 2-2 draw at the Emirates three seasons ago, which was his first start for the club at the mere age of 17, Flanno was getting his own plaudits following his first team debut, a 3-0 grubbing of Manchester City at Anfield. Since then, the Scouse duo have taken two completely different routes in their careers, particularly since the appointment of Rodgers. Flanagan has excelled and rightfully cemented a spot with the first team. Robbo has been in and out of loan spells away from the club, and although showing signs of promise with some of his displays whilst at Wolves last season, the 20 year old returns yet again, and once again with a flurry of full backs ahead of him in the pecking order. This reason alone if why Robinson should move on this summer. This will no doubt be a stepping stone to further his career, which will provide another load out for Liverpool, who's academy seems to be growing stronger every passing day.
Samed Yesil (20 , Striker)
Now, I will end with two of our academy youngsters that would benefit massively from a loan away to a 'lesser' team this summer. Not to be sold as of yet, but this coming season may prove to be the last chance salon for some of these players who are looking for that Brendan Rodgers phone call. First up is the German Under 21 striker Yesil. The 20 year old arrived under Dalglish with a solid reputation. His goalscoring stats at Under 21 international level were enough to excited us Liverpool fans. The German arrived and got in the flow of things down at the academy, scoring a couple of neat goals as the season went on. A massive injury suffered towards the latter stages of that same campaign dented any chances of a first team call up, with only one of those to call for since his arrival in the summer of 2012. The striker has a definite eye for goal, there is no doubting that, and with Samed finally returning from injury this summer, a loan away to boost some much needed experience could be the cherry on top the cake and could prove to be the move that starts the career of Samed Yesil. Rodgers could opt to keep him at the club, as he looks ahead to life without Luis Suarez.
Andre Wisdom (21 , Defender)
I would say the young defender, a long with Suso, have had very similar spells at the club since Rodgers came in. Both burst into the starting line up in the beginning of the Northern Irishman's reign, and enjoyed quite a long stint there too. That followed by a couple of injured players resurfacing, and the duo found themselves back on the fringes of the squad, as Brendan's first season ended. The summer saw a couple of new faces brought in, and Rodgers opted for loan deals for the duo, and here are we are at the present day, with the two returning to Melwood ready as ever to fight for their respective places again. Wisdom has shown he has got all the traits to be a world class defender for years to come. We have seen the youngsters leadership qualities too, with the England Under 20 captaincy been handed on to him recently. The 21 year old endured a bright season at Derby and can bring a lot of what he learnt there back to Liverpool. The defender is not ready to be a started for Liverpool, in my opinion, and whether he will be in the upcoming years is entirely up to the individual and his personal performances. Another loan out seems to be on the cards, with West Brom growing fond of the young Wisdom. Will he return next summer a better player and follow along the footsteps of young Flanno, amongst others? This pre-season will be a crucial one for the youngster as he looks to progress.
The list of possible call ups could go on and on, with the likes of Brad Smith, Lloyd Jones, Jack Dunn, and others all being omitted from today's blog. I think five is enough for now. Whilst I was struggling to find players to include in my 'releases' list, it hit me just how strong Liverpool's academy is at the present day, and has been for many years. The future is bright for Inglethorpe's young guns, as they all look to impress in pre-season. With an away match at Preston to come this afternoon, this might prove to be the last chance for some of these youngsters to show why they deserve to be in Rodgers' plans for the upcoming league campaign. Rodgers has got money to spend, and whilst there are plenty more signings to come before the end of August, a long glance at the academy must be on the boss's mind. Last year, it was young Raheem and 'Flanni Alves'. Who's year will it be this time round?
To end this blog, I will list all the youngsters who have been given a call up with Brendan Rodgers' 33 man squad to tour the US in the next couple of weeks ;
Conor Coady (21 , Defensive Midfielder)
Suso (20 , Attacking Midfielder)
Jon Flanagan (21 , Defender)
Jordon Ibe (18 , Winger)
Tiago Ilori (21 , Centre Back)
Adam Phillips (16 , Central Midfielder)
Jack Robinson (20 , Left Back)
Joao Carlos Teixeira (20 , Attacking Midfielder)
Daniel Ward (21 , Goalkeeper)
Andre Wisdom (20 , Defender)
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