It’s been another impressive summer for Liverpool’s academy as a number of Reds youngsters made appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s senior side during pre-season.
Stefan Bajcetic, Luke Chambers, Bobby Clark, Isaac Mabaya, Melkamu Frauendorf, Tom Hill, Harvey Davies, Fabian Mrozek, James Norris and Mateusz Musialowski all featured as Liverpool locked horns with Manchester United, Crystal Palace, RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg and Strasbourg ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. Meanwhile, senior injuries even led to the former pair taking up places on the bench against Fulham on the opening day of the season.
From the aforementioned academy stars, it was Bajcetic who caught the eye most and who looks best placed for competitive senior action in the months ahead. Clark also impressed and was in the travelling squad to Craven Cottage, capping off an impressive first year at Anfield having only joined the Reds from Newcastle United 12 months ago.
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Son of former Newcastle and Fulham midfielder Lee Clark, the 17-year-old scored 13 goals for Liverpool Under-18s last season and also made his Under-23s debut as a late substitute against Derby County back in January. Handed his first start at Under-21s level in the Reds’ opening day defeat to Man City on Sunday, the midfielder is certainly a player to keep an eye on in the months ahead.
Clark isn’t the only player in Liverpool’s academy with recognisable football heritage, however. Meanwhile, with a number of young Reds promoted up through the youth ranks this summer, as is the case every year, the club have also added a couple of new signings who will be looking to replicate the former Newcastle man’s immediate impact at Kirkby.
While not the only talented players emerging through the youth ranks, here’s the summer signings and players following in famous footsteps to look out for at Academy level in the season ahead…
Ben Doak
A summer signing from Celtic, Ben Doak actually made his senior Hoops debut in January 2022, coming on as a 68th minute substitute during their 1-0 win over Aberdeen, before being introduced as a late substitute in a memorable 3-0 Old Firm victory the following month.
However, the Scotland Under-17s international snubbed the offer of a professional contract at Parkhead in favour of a summer move to Anfield, with Liverpool paying Celtic a compensation fee of roughly £600k for his services.
Predominantly a winger, but also capable of playing full-back, the 16-year-old will start his Liverpool journey with the Under-18s this season, with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's side set to get their campaign underway at home to Middlesbrough on Saturday. Doak has already made his presence felt in pre-season and was on the scoresheet in their 6-1 friendly victory over Leicester City last weekend.
Jayden Danns
Son of former Premier League and Football League midfielder Neil Danns, Jayden Danns is a versatile player who has been with the Reds’ academy since the age of eight. Capable of playing in attack or midfield, he will feature for Bridge-Wilkinson's side this season as a first-year scholar.
A Scouser, the 16-year-old is an England youth international and made his Under-18s debut last season as a substitute against Derby County last September.
Father Neil spent time in the Liverpool academy himself as a youngster, before making his professional breakthrough with Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League. Later featuring for the likes of Birmingham City, Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Bolton Wanderers and Tranmere Rovers, he boasts over 500 appearances in the Premier League and Football League, and is still going strong at the age of 39 at Macclesfield Town, where he plays alongside Liverpool loanee Marcelo Pitaluga.
Keyrol Figueroa
Keyrol Figueroa is the son of former Wigan Athletic and Hull City defender Maynor Figueroa, but is a very different player to the former Honduras international. An exciting striker blessed with great pace, the 15-year-old turns 16 later this month and arrived at the Academy as an Under-14s player.
Like his father, he is capable of scoring spectacular goals and he will feature for the Under-18s as a first-year scholar this year. Despite his tender years, he made three late substitute appearances for Bridge-Wilkinson's side last season.
Trent Kone-Doherty
Liverpool completed the signing of Trent Kone-Doherty from Derry City last month, with the 16-year-old starting Kirkby life with the Under-18s as a first-year scholar in 2022/23.
Capable of playing on either flank, he is a tricky and exciting winger, blessed with great pace, and has played for Republic of Ireland Under-16s and Under-17s. Listed as a first team player with Derry, he made the bench for the first team during his time in Ireland.
Lewis Koumas
Son of former Wales international Jason Koumas, Lewis Koumas is a talented midfielder who arrived at the Academy from Tranmere Rovers as an Under-11s player. He can also play outwide and made five appearances for the Under-18s last season.
Set to turn 17 next month, Koumas was on the scoresheet for Bridge-Wilkinson's side in their 6-1 friendly win over Leicester City last weekend.
Father Jason made 483 career appearances in the Premier League and Football League, featuring for West Bromwich Albion, Cardiff City, Wigan Athletic and Tranmere Rovers, while he was also capped 34 times by Wales.
Terence Miles
Terence Miles is a strong centre-back who made his Under-18s debut as an Under-16s player in 2020/21. Set to turn 19 next month, he first arrived at the Academy as an Under-7s player.
Set to feature for the Under-21s in 2022/23, the 18-year-old is the nephew of former Liverpool Academy striker John Miles who made 276 appearances for Football League sides Stoke City, Crewe Alexandra, Macclesfield Town, Accrington Stanley and MK Dons.
Oludare Olufunwa
Liverpool signed Oludare Olufunwa earlier this month following a successful trial, which saw him feature in pre-season friendlies against Caernarfon Town and Wigan Athletic.
The centre-back was previously with Southampton and, having celebrated his 21st birthday last month, will start Academy life with the Under-21s in 2022/23.
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