Liverpool U23s manager explains why Ejaria, Woodburn, and Brannagan haven’t played for the seniors this season

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Michael Beale has been speaking about some of the brightest stars in the Liverpool academy.

In an extensive interview with Echo, he covered many salient points — including giving an interesting insight into how the academy is now paying for itself, along with an in-depth discussion about some of its best prospects.

“Ryan Kent is trying to get past Philippe Coutinho, Sheyi Ojo is trying to get past Sadio Mane, Ben Woodburn is trying to get past Roberto Firmino – it’s not easy,” he said.

“Wijnaldum and Henderson are probably keeping Ovie [Ejaria], Pedro [Chirivella] and Cam Brannagan out of a position but the fact that they’re noticed by the manager and brought into that, means that they’re getting closer every day.”

According to the article, we bagged £25 million this summer from selling home-grown players, with the likes of Ibe and Smith both being shipped out for decent sums of money.

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He also waxed lyrical about Klopp, saying that our boss’ willingness to use academy prospects last season has helped put the club back on the map as a side who produce top young talent. It’s something that we’ve by-and-large been sorely lacking since the mid to late 1990s.

“Last year when there was ever a moment Jurgen Klopp could play them, he did do. Liverpool are starting again becoming known as a club that produces players.”

Beale is now the U23s manager after the U21 league became an U23 league over the summer. We are allowed to use four overage players in each game.

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