Josh Abe is one of many talented youngsters coming through the youth ranks at Anfield right now.
Rio Ngumoha is already showcasing his skills in the Premier League, while the likes of Trey Nyoni and Kieran Morrison have also made their senior debuts.
Meanwhile, the Reds have managed to extend Abe’s contract despite interest from Manchester City and Chelsea due to the pathway that has been presented to the teenager.
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Liverpool pathway key to Josh Abe staying
James Pearce provided some insight into Abe’s decision to remain at Liverpool and snub other Premier League teams.
He mentioned the young forward was offered up to £50,000-a-week to move elsewhere, a figure the Merseyside outfit would not have matched.
However, the journalist said that after speaking to people close to Abe, ‘the pathway was key’ to Abe agreeing terms with Liverpool
Speaking on the Walk On podcast, Pearce said: “Of course, although what a scholar earns in Premier League football is like there’s parity across the board. I think it’s about £1,200 a month or something. But what you can do is when you get players signed up to a scholarship, you can do a pre-contract for their first pro deal when they turn 17.
“And that is obviously where crazy sums of money are thrown around. I know Josh was offered up to 50 grand a week as a first professional deal for when he turned 17, which will be July 2027. Liverpool certainly wouldn’t have gone that high, but in the end the package they did put together convinced him to turn down that interest from City, Chelsea and others in the Premier League and commit his future to the club.
“I think from speaking to people close to him, the pathway was key in terms of, I think he’s a right-winger who loves cutting in on his left foot. Of course, Liverpool have just lost someone who played, who did all right in that particular role wide on the right. There’s not too many others coming through.”
Andoni Iraola is perfect for Josh Abe
Abe may have extended his contract before Liverpool confirmed who would come in for Arne Slot, but his replacement is ideal for Abe.
Andoni Iraola has a great reputation when it comes to developing youngsters, which is one of the reasons Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes wanted the Spaniard.
Meanwhile, Iraola has already commented on Liverpool’s academy and how he will want to assess the talent there.
Abe is surely going to be someone he looks at, given he scored eight and assisted three in 10 Premier League U18 games prior to picking up an injury last season.
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