Ex-LFC coach Beale names the kid who could be world-class, and it’s not who you’d think…

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Ben Woodburn? Sheyi Ojo? Trent Alexander-Arnold? Ovie Ejaria? Rhian Brewster, even?

Although these players are all very highly rated, former Liverpool Under-23 coach Michael Beale reckons it’s one of the unheralded wingers who could become one of the best players in the country.

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That man is Ryan Kent, the 20-year-old winger currently on loan at Championship side Barnsley.

This term, Kent has notched just two goals, but is a regular for England-U20s and is a starter for the Tykes.

Beale told Sky Sports: “There are a lot of exciting young players within the Liverpool first team squad at the moment, such as Kevin Stewart, Ejaria and Sheyi Ojo. There’s also Ryan Kent on loan at Barnsley who is fantastic and could literally – if he manages to get his decision making right – go on to be a top player in the Premier League for Liverpool, England and beyond.

“Ojo has been injured but will come again, while Harry Wilson, the youngest player to play for Wales, has made his senior debut and is doing everything he can in the U23s – he’s scored over 20 goals and got over 20 assists this season.

“There are good players there. It’s not just at Liverpool, though. The standard in England in terms of young players is a lot higher than people realise.”

When you consider Woodburn is 17 and Harry Wilson, the Under-23 captain, has scored and assisted over 20 goals apiece in Premier League 2, Kent has some way to go to make it.

He’s very skilful and quick, priding himself on his ability to beat defenders with tricks – but as Beale points out – players in these positions need to consistently score and assist to make it at the highest level.

His two goal return for Barnsley is probably not high enough to have alerted Jurgen Klopp to his talents, although Beale’s glowing recommendation will have previously been delivered to management during his time at the club.

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