The summer transfer window brought a huge shake up for Liverpool football club. With many senior players making their departure at the end of last season, this opened spots in the new 23/24 squad for the likes of youth academy players and fresh new signings to give it their shot.
It was deemed Liverpool 2.0. Liverpool have embraced a serious squad shake up in the seven months between this weekend’s outing against Manchester City and their last back in April, which ended in a 4-1 defeat for the reds.
Position changes and a haul of new players meant the Liverpool team sheets between the two games were vastly different. An already established face in the squad is Trent Alexander-Arnold, a home-grown star, he is still the epitome of youth talent, a Champions League and Premier League title plus all domestic cups under his belt by the time he was 21, it is no wonder why he was recently appointed vice-captaincy.
After scoring the equaliser in Saturday’s game against rivals Manchester City, Gary Neville likened his qualities to injured City star Kevin De Bruyne, saying he was “equal of him”. Neville goes on to deem the Scouse sportsmen “a sensational football player, a striker of a ball that you just don’t see”.
Three of the clubs summer signings were Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister. The new starters are collectively 32 years younger than their departing predecessors Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino and Fabinho, this just goes to show what Liverpool’s scouting team are aiming to achieve over the next few seasons.
All three of these new players make regular appearances for the club with great impact so far. A hope of a bright future for fans is in their new signing Szoboszlai who has been likened to club legend Steven Gerrard.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe £60 million pound purchase is also Hungarian national captain at 22 years old. Speaking with Sky Sports, Szoboszlai said “It’s nice to have the number eight shirt because really great players played in it. I just want to continue.”
He added “I have a tattoo from Steven Gerrard, so he is a big idol of mine”.
The Reds will be hoping for this comparison to live up to their imaginations. Jarrell Quansah, Ben Doake, Elliott Chambers and Bobby Clark are four young prospects who had their first team call up after years at Liverpool’s youth academy, all are under 21 years old and made great impressions on their debuts.
The youth stars have now featured in Premier League or Europa League games, some even making a home debut at Anfield. Other youthful prospects include Curtis Jones & Harvey Elliot. Both have played huge parts in the clubs’ recent triumphs when playing at senior level over the last two seasons. They also play for the England’s under 21 team aiding them in winning the Under-21 Euros in 2023.
Embed from Getty ImagesEven in a less successful season like last year, there is still the positive of signings Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz who have slot in exceptionally well. The Reds have started this new campaign strongly. Winning 8 from 13 so far, their only defeat coming away at Tottenham which was a highly controversial game due to VAR.
The recent good run of form and hopeful new talent aid the understanding as to why some fans of the Merseyside club are highly optimistic. There is clear desire to win trophies and rise back to the top of the premier league. To conclude, with youth on their side will Liverpool return to the likes of their 19/20 season, ‘CityPool’ battles and securing automatic Champions League qualification again, it’s all to play for.
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