Liverpool told they’ve got a ‘very special’ young midfielder coming through the ranks

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The last few years have been an excellent period for Liverpool’s academy.

On the back of the success of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones has now established himself as a star of the senior side. Furthermore, youngsters like Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley are now starting to shine, too.

Beyond that standout quartet there are other exciting talents coming through as well. One of those is 19-year-old midfielder James McConnell. Having already made three appearances off the bench this season, McConnell recently earned his first start – at home to Norwich City in the FA Cup, and did well, too.

According to academy teammate Lewis Koumas though, the youngster’s emergence is not a surprise. Speaking to liverpoolfc.com about the Reds’ U21s 3-1 win over Stoke on Sunday, Koumas raved about McConnell.

“I just go out there and try to find the back of the net as much as possible,” said the 18-year-old after scoring twice. “Calum [Scanlon] gave me a great pass for the first, and the second it was good vision from Jayden [Danns] and I just tried to stay calm and finished it.

“We had the likes of Bobby [Clark] and Macca [James McConnell] and it was good to get the win. Macca is a very special player and very good to play with.”

‘Very special’ McConnell hailed

With Quansah and Bradley both making headlines, McConnell’s emergence has been a little less heralded.

Perhaps that’s understandable. Quansah has been a bit of a surprise package this season although has been highly rated in the youth teams for a fair while now.

Bradley meanwhile was playing for the first-team as far back as 2021. Big things have been expected from him for years.

But McConnell has come a little from nowhere. He looked good in pre-season and was indeed talked up by Jurgen Klopp back then. It wasn’t like he was banging the door down to play, though.

However, on closer inspection, maybe McConnell’s rise shouldn’t be that much of a surprise.

Over recent years Liverpool have become adept at pinching some top talent from other clubs in Britain. Think Ben Doak and Kaide Gordon, and plenty more besides.

If the Reds nab a youngster from a domestic rival, it usually means they think they can make it into their senior squad. Clark is another one. Taken from Newcastle at 16, the midfielder is now growing in influence under Klopp.

McConnell is actually one more of these. The midfielder spent his formative years at Sunderland before joining Liverpool as a 15-year-old.

Sunderland may now feel aggrieved at having lost a player who looks destined for a good career in the game. But once again, hats off to the Liverpool scouts. McConnell is just getting started.