Liverpool are building an incredible team of young players right now. Their next-generation XI is seriously impressive.
Liverpool’s best XI might be the greatest in football right now – we wouldn’t swap it with anyone, certainly. But there is a problem with it.
Many of the first-team stars are now beyond 30 or will be by the start of next season. Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Jordan Henderson, Thiago, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah all fit that bill. That only leaves the goalkeeper, full-backs and holding midfielder as long-term options.
Fortunately, Liverpool are moving to tackle this. They’ve built quite an incredible XI of young players to carry them into the next generation.
Liverpool’s young team
Goalkeeper: Caoimhin Kelleher
Kelleher has burst onto the scene over the last 18 months and already looks like a sensational young goalkeeper. He’s good enough to play at senior level and at 23, could be a top player for over a decade to come.
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold
He’s still only 23. Alexander-Arnold has done just about everything there is to do at club level, winning the lot and picking up individual awards. There’s still a long way to go, though.
Centre-back: Ibrahima Konate
Konate is even younger – still just 22. He’s playing at an incredibly high level already, though, and should be the long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk
Centre-back: Sepp van den Berg
Van den Berg isn’t actually at Liverpool right now but he’s really impressing with Preston in the Championship. In fact, he’s adding strings to his bow as both a right-back and right midfielder. The Reds should end up with a remarkably versatile defender here.
Left-back: James Norris
Harsh on Owen Back, this, but we need to get Norris in. He’s a brilliant young talent and one who can play a variety of positions. Left-back may not be where he ends up at senior level, though his ability to play there could get him into the first-team setup.
Defensive midfield: Tyler Morton
We’re not entirely sure that Morton will end up being a defensive midfielder but he’s already had his moments there at first-team level. The early signs are encouraging and with the right development, Liverpool might have a midfield star.
Centre-midfield: Harvey Elliott
An absolute phenomenon and a player Goal recently named as the fifth-best young player on the planet. His move into midfield appears inspired and Liverpool quite plainly have a sensational talent here – the star of their young team.
Centre-midfield: Curtis Jones
Jones has gone a little off the boil this season at times but he’s still capable of elite performances. Statistically, too, there are signs that he’s one of the best young midfielders around. We can’t wait to see what comes next.
Right-wing: Kaide Gordon
A player that Alexander-Arnold labelled ‘frightening’ in pre-season, such is his natural talent. Liverpool signed Gordon from Derby County last year and he’s quickly impressed. He also made Goal’s NxtGen list – though, not quite as high as Elliott. A massive talent and one who should kick on to fantastic levels.
Left-wing: Mateusz Musialowski
Musialowski hasn’t quite had the season many thought he would but he did only turn 18 in October. The Pole is still an incredible talent who has met every challenge in front of him. We think he has a first-team future with some luck on his side.
Striker: Oakley Cannonier
Still a long, long way to go before Cannonier is at first-team level but the early signs are incredibly encouraging. He’s scoring goals for fun at Under 18 level, reportedly drawing Phillipe Coutinho comparisons. Coutinho with goals? Sign us up.
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