‘Incredible’ 17-year-old is set to be Liverpool’s next star out of the academy, he’s absolutely rapid

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Liverpool’s academy has had one of its most productive seasons in a long while this year.

With Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley becoming mainstays in the first-team, there has been a number of other youngsters playing big roles, too.

This has led to further expectation that those currently plying their trade in the underage teams could one day become stars of the senior side.

From those uncapped by Jurgen Klopp, the likes of midfielder Kieran Morrison have been billed to be the next cab off the rank. There’s plenty more talent besides as well.

As far as we can tell though, the biggest prospect of the lot is quite clearly forward Trent Kone-Doherty.

Kone-Doherty underlined his credentials once again this weekend, scoring a composed finish to put Liverpool U21s ahead against Manchester City. Despite being just 17, the Irishman is already standing out against lads much older than him.

Kone-Doherty ready to fly

We don’t expect that Kone-Doherty will come into the first-team for the remainder of the season. Although after news of injuries to both Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, you never know.

More likely, the 2022 signing from Derry City will be given the chance to make an impression in the upcoming pre-season.

Of course, we don’t know who the Liverpool manager will be by then. That does make it slightly difficult to predict how academy prospects will be utilised.

But whoever comes in to succeed Klopp, there’ll surely have to take a look at Kone-Doherty.

Liverpool reportedly believe that the teenager has the capability to follow in the footsteps of Ben Doak. He has already trained with the first-team and is standing out amongst older players.

Like Doak, perhaps Kone-Doherty’s greatest asset is his speed. Having been lauded as a player with ‘incredible acceleration’ by former Derry coach Gerard Boyle, the winger is a real weapon in forward areas.

Clearly, Liverpool aren’t short of one or two of those in the first-team squad at the moment. But as the recent rise of Jayden Danns shows, there’s always room for another.

Having scored 11 goals and registered five assists in 13 games for the U18s this season, Kone-Doherty is clearly too good for that level. Two goals in 10 U21 games is more modest, but speaks to a player who could soon make his biggest step up yet. Watch this space.