The Academy is in good shape, as highlighted by Liverpool’s 3rd place finish in the NextGen Series, which is the UEFA Champions League at the U19 level. Raheem Sterling has already broken into the first team and is probably the Reds’ best winger at the moment. Rodgers will be looking for more breakthroughs like Sterling to come out and perform at the highest level, with consistency being the most important parameter to fulfill. Here are 5 of the best from Liverpool’s second-string who could make that breakthrough this season:
Jesus Fernandez Saez (Suso): He was impressive in the playing time that he got during the pre-season tour of the USA, and has a reputation for scoring absolute belters, and also for being an astute reader of the game. A player who is in the mould of Andres Iniesta (obviously at a much lower level), Suso has been earmarked by Brendan Rodgers as one of those players who could be given a look-in. Last season, Suso was excellent for the reserves and U-19′s last season playing 17 reserve league games and 7 games in the NextGen series.
Daniel Pacheco: Pacheco has had a frustrating time at Anfield so far. Despite being impressive at reserve and youth level, he is someone who has never made it big at the senior level, repeatedly being loaned out under the previous regimes of Hodgson and Dalglish. A similar kind of player to Suso, who can play either in behind the striker, or on the left wing, Pacheco’s career has been about unfulfilled promise. He will be looking to fulfill that this season, and dig the Reds out of the hole they currently find themselves in.
Samed Yesil: A serial goalscorer for the German and Bayer Leverkusen junior teams, Samed Yesil’s capture by Liverpool for a million pounds was described as daylight robbery by the German press. Yesil has this ability to score goals, an aspect of the game that Liverpool have been found completely wanting at. However, it will be interesting to see whether Yesil can transform his exploits at junior level to the senior level, especially given the physical and mental rigours of the English Premier League.
Adam Morgan: Similar player to Yesil and has a knack of scoring important goals. Played at U19 level as a 16 year old and once went through a streak of scoring in 16 consecutive games. Was highly impressive in the pre-season tour of the USA playing a part in all 3 games, and even getting himself a typical poacher’s goal. Morgan has an eye for goal and that is highlighted by his staggering record for Liverpool at junior level. Morgan seems to have already got the thumbs-up from Rodgers as he started the recent Europa League playoff against Hearts at Anfield.
Michael Ngoo: Ngoo has had an awesome start to the Barclays U21 Premier League. The coaches at Liverpool are likening him to Didier Drogba because the lad is immensely strong and is not too bad with the ball at his feet. Along with Morgan and Yesil, Ngoo has to be considered as the future to Liverpool’s goalscoring exploits.
If these 5 players can slug it out with big boys of the Premier League, and put up decent showings, Liverpool might just dig themselves out of this deep mess they find themselves in.
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