Whereas Jordan Henderson’s cameo final night time supplied Liverpool with a burst of nostalgia, extra eyes would have been on Curtis Jones as he began within the centre of Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions squad.
It was a routine victory, England seeing off Albania 2-0 via objectives from debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly and record-extending goalscorer Harry Kane, who marked cap quantity 104 with objective quantity 70.
Jones has been a gradual presence within the England camp since making his debut within the Autumn. He scored in that one, towards Greece.
Curtis Jones’ Efficiency vs Albania | |
|---|---|
Match Stats | # |
Minutes performed | 74′ |
Touches | 105 |
Pictures (heading in the right direction) | 1 (0) |
Correct passes | 94/99 (95%) |
Key passes | 1 |
Possession misplaced | 7x |
Dribbles | 1/2 |
Tackles | 1 |
Duels received | 3/7 |
Stats through Sofascore | |
What an increase for Liverpool’s academy graduate. Like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jones has turn into a star for membership and nation, however not all among the many Reds youth achieve reaching such heights.
There isn’t any query that Trent is the best expertise Liverpool have produced since Steven Gerrard impressed a metropolis, and Liverpool would do properly to search out a good brighter star within the coming years.
Saying that, the present crop is trying fairly wholesome.
Liverpool’s academy improvement
Liverpool’s expertise manufacturing facility has made vital progress over the previous a number of years, however it wasn’t at all times the case. Earlier than Jurgen Klopp, Kirkby prospects of real high quality had been few and much between.
However the German’s closing years on the helm noticed a surprising inflow, Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah changing into common options final time period to affix the present stars in Alexander-Arnold and Jones.
The success, after all, culminated in ‘Klopp’s Youngsters’ taking part in an instrumental position in lifting the 2023/24 Carabao Cup. Now, the Anfield aspect boasts wealthy youth ranks with the likes of Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha main the subsequent technology’s cost.
This new crop are nice and all, however Trent led the best way for this academy revival on Merseyside. Pickings had been slim beforehand, however there was one other who was anticipated to be a part of that trend-setting group as a homegrown famous person.
Nevertheless, it hasn’t occurred for this Redman, who’s now clubless aged 27.
The Liverpool prospect who was forward of Trent
The person in query right here really burst onto the scene earlier than Alexander-Arnold, however he is since plummeted into the depths of the sport, barely taking part in any soccer over the previous three years.
First Impressions
What did pundits and followers alike take into consideration their new star signing once they arrived? Soccer FanCast’s ‘First Impressions’ sequence has every thing you want.
Who remembers Ovie Ejaria? As soon as among the many cream of Liverpool’s academy crop, the midfielder has endured a tricky profession that threatens a bleakly untimely conclusion.
He made eight aggressive appearances for Liverpool in the course of the 2016/17 season, incomes reward from then-academy coach Michael Beale.
“Ovie has developed a lot since he joined the academy,” Beale stated. “He has at all times been a stunning technical participant however now he’s way more mature in his decision-making and in his utility to his defensive duties.”
Alexander-Arnold is perhaps one of many world’s greatest right-backs, however he was principally present in midfield earlier than breaking onto the scene in 2017.
Sharing the position with Ejaria, jostling for area and prominence, it is protected to say the 26-year-old received, however given Ejaria really bought an opportunity earlier than his one-time teammate, issues might have been so completely different.
As soon as a titan of Liverpool’s youth scene, Ejaria ebbed away throughout a mortgage after which everlasting stick with Studying, making a complete of 127 shows in blue and white, notching 22 objective involvements.
Since leaving the League One membership, he is accomplished little or no, occurring trial with Egyptian Premier League membership Zamalek in October 2024. Sadly, nothing seems to have come of the audition.
Contemplating the previous England U21 worldwide’s fortunes since leaving Liverpool, it is fairly good enterprise that Klopp and FSG managed to say £3m when he left for Studying.
For a participant who was as soon as held in such excessive regard, rising at first of Klopp’s dynasty earlier than the superstars of at the moment took their first steps, it is a disgrace issues have not labored out.
However it additionally serves as a reminder that Liverpool have come on leaps and bounds over the previous decade.
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