Jurgen Klopp says he would’ve played 17-year-old Liverpool prospect vs Toulouse if he wasn’t injured

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Jurgen Klopp has claimed that two more Liverpool youngsters would have played against Toulouse last night, but for injury.

Klopp handed two Reds prospects their debuts last night – Calum Scanlon and James McConnell getting their first senior minutes. There was also a first ever start for left-back Luke Chambers.

Furthermore, Jarell Quansah came off the bench for another taste of the action, with Caoimhin Kelleher, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott also in playing. A fine night for the academy.

And, speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Klopp claimed that there are also two more youngsters in his thinking.

“Perfect night. We could bring the kids, show them how much we trust them, it’s all really, really good,” raved the boss.

“I tell them how much I like them, what I see in them, but from time to time they have to show it. It’s not that easy, we have super difficult games.

“But in good moments you can give the boys opportunity. We did that tonight and they all took it, in different ways.

“A couple not even available, Ben Doak for example would have for sure had minutes tonight as well, or Bobby Clark who is now coming back from injury hopefully. We have a lot of really good boys, we trust them and we build on them.”

Klopp gives youngsters a go

There weren’t many happy Liverpool fans when their team failed to qualify for the Champions League at the end of last season.

But right now, we’re seeing the clear benefits of spending a season in the Europa League.

It isn’t something we want to be getting used to, but for blooding young players who otherwise wouldn’t get a chance, it’s absolutely brilliant.

Quansah has already made his mark, while Chambers, Scanlon and McConnell all looked promising last night.

Doak is another who will benefit, and the 17-year-old will surely be frustrated at having missed another opportunity to be involved last night. He shouldn’t worry though, his time will come again.

As for Clark, he’d have surely been getting his chance too had injury not gotten in the way. The 18-year-old is still working back to fitness and will hopefully get a go at some stage before the group stage is done.

Klopp perhaps doesn’t get enough credit for his willingness to give these lads a chance in the senior team. Some may make it as senior Liverpool stars, others won’t. But either way, Jurgen will give them their moment.