With the current crop of players arguably the best since 1990, the Merseyside giants finally ended a 30-year old draught for a Premier League title last season. As the new season gets underway this month, it becomes crucial for the Reds to maintain the momentum gained in the past couple of seasons and successfully mount a title defense.
Moreover, with Klopp relying more and more on players developed through the club’s own ranks, the recent stream of success opens up the door and opportunity for homegrown talents to step up their game to the next level and become the next legend at the halls of Anfield, the abundance of which in the past is something that the club prides itself on – from Ian Callaghan, Tommy Smith, and Phil Thompson to Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard.
Here we take a look at some of the most promising players who have the potential to become the next big legend at Merseyside.
#4 Neco Williams
The lack of any natural cover for Trent Alexander Arnold in the right flank was gravely obvious in a few matches last season, but Klopp may have found the answer through Neco Williams. The 19-year-old was stellar in his EFL Cup performances and made eleven appearances and eight starts in all competitions last season.
The Welsh teen has also been praised by Gerrard during his time as the Academy Coach at Liverpool FC, and his pace and scything crosses mirror the current right back’s style of play. He featured regularly as a substitute after the post lockdown period and hopefully gains enough exposure to challenging his English counterpart.
#3 Curtis Jones
Curtis Jones has been somewhat of a revelation in the past few seasons. His screamer against Everton in 2018 meant he became the youngest goalscorer since Robbie Fowler in 1994 to score in the Merseyside Derby at the age of just 18. In February this year, the 19-year-old also became the youngest ever player to captain a Liverpool FC side with the team playing against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup.
And so it makes sense why the hype around Curtis Jones is so real. The Scouser who has been with the Liverpool FC Academy since joining as a 9-year-old plays as a No 10 on the pitch with a playstyle that is pretty mature for his age and evokes comparison to a certain Steven Gerrard. While it is a tad bit unfair on Jones with Klopp’s philosophy entirely different from what the managers of Liverpool FC during Gerrard’s rise as a youth, he nevertheless is an exciting prospect to look forward to and can bring an extra dimensionality to Klopp’s midfield.
#2 Joe Gomez
The 23-year-old was signed from Charlton in 2015. Breaking into the first team along with Alexander Arnold, Joe Gomez was initially deployed in the right flanks but later was shifted to his natural position at center-back by the middle of the 2017 season. He has been the most stable partner for Virgil Van Dijk in defense so far, and the departure of Dejan Lovren further consolidates his role at the heart of Liverpool FC’s defense.
With Klopp currently not looking to bolster his defensive options, Gomez has the perfect opportunity to thrive and develop into one of the best center-backs in the word in the next couple of seasons, With his composed style of play and versatility on the pitch coupled with a pace that suits counter-attacking, Liverpool FC may very well have their own Rio Ferdinand in the form of Joe Gomez.
#1 Trent Alexander Arnold
At just 21 years, Trent Alexander Arnold is already arguably the best right back in the world. His tally of 13 assists this season was only trumped by Kevin De Bruyne.
Rising through the ranks of the Liverpool FC Academy, he joined the first team at the age of just 18. With Nathaniel Clyne sidelined due to injuries in the 2017-18 season, Trent Alexander Arnold was given a chance to prove himself at the right-back role and the local lad has taken strides in his development.
With back to back Champions League experience and now as a Premier League winner, unless the local lad from Merseyside decides to switch teams – which seems highly unlikely – the path is paved for TAA to cement himself on the pages of Liverpool FC’s history as the next local legend.
