The Reds have been very busy in the transfer window so far this summer. But not only have we been strengthening our senior side, we’ve also been expanding our options for the youth team, who narrowly missed out on the Premier League title last summer – finishing second behind Manchester United.
SEE MORE:
Liverpool’s squad as it stands – strengths, weaknesses, recommended new signings and more
Liverpool’s 12 most hyped wonderkids before Bobby Adekanye
Liverpool’s 10 best ever PL signings named in report – Skrtel dubiously included
Bobby Adekanye and Brooks Lennon have already put pen to paper on deals at Merseyside, while on Saturday we learned that Brendan Rodgers is eyeing up a move for Brazilian teenager, Allan (via Liverpool Echo).
Of course, having a strong Under-21 side is always a difficult balancing act. You want your top talents – such as Jerome Sinclair and Sheyi Ojo – to go out and get first-team experience on loan, ideally in the Premier League.
So, with all that in mind, we’ve put together our dream Academy XI for next season. One that will challenge for hours while still allowing the more experienced players to go out on loan.
Here it is…
GK) Lawrence Vigouroux
Danny Ward has been sent out on loan to Aberdeen and that leaves the former Tottenham man as our third choice stopper, behind Simon Mignolet and Adam Bogdan. It’s important he gets some game-time in these U21 matches.
RB) Ryan McLaughlin
The Northern Ireland international’s progress has been cruelly held back by injury over the last couple of years. He could still be a potential future first-team player but he needs to prove himself at this level on a consistent basis.
CB) Tom Brewitt
The captain of our Under-18s team signed his first professional contract earlier this year and surely deserves a promotion to the next level. He’s been good alongside Cleary in the past, who was a regular for the U21’s last year.
CB) Daniel Cleary
Cleary is a year older than Brewitt and is another extremely promising centre-back. He is described as a gifted ball player who can carry possession from the back to help open up pockets of space for his teammates to exploit.
LB) Joe Maguire
An attacking full-back who is in a similar mould do Alberto Moreno. He has a powerful left foot and loves to push forward and help out his teammates. He’s got great fitness levels and constantly gets up and down the line.
DM) Pedro Chirivella
The traditional deep-lying playmaker that Liverpool’s senior squad have been crying out for. He arrived at Anfield from Valencia a couple of years ago and has since proved that he can read the game brilliantly. A real talent.
CM) Allan
One of the highest rated players in Brazil, the 18-year-old is currently playing is his homeland for Internacional. He has the ability to boss a game from the middle, going box to box to win possession and move it forward.
CM) Sergi Canos
The most naturally attacking player in this Liverpool midfield, he’d be looking to push on and join up with the front three at every opportunity, hopefully playing in behind our central striker. He’s another one with high hopes.
RW) Bobby Adekanye
Comfortable on either flank, the former Barcelona and PSV man will make his debut on the right if we have our way. Let’s hope that he can start terrorising defences like we’ve seen him do in so many YouTube clips already!
LW) Harry Wilson
The Welsh international has been earmarked has one to watch for many years. As he edges closer and closer towards seniority, a strong season here could really push him up towards the verge of the first-team very soon.
ST) Brooks Lennon
Lennon scored 31 goals last season for Red Salt Lake’s second string, and having also impressed during a trial with the Reds last year, he’s now been given a contract. He’ll need to replace the goals of Sinclair and Samed Yesil.
