By Paul Machin @ThePaulMachin
Maybe it’s my childhood spent read superhero comics, or my misspent teens pouring countless hours into the yearly Champ/Football Manager efforts talking, but everyone LOVES a Wonderkid. Right? Course we do. Now I can’t speak for non-Reds, but we DEFO love them, and for those of us who grew up through the 90’s that love affair started there. The Liverpool that first caught my eye was a tried and tested squad packed full of world class, trophy winning machines edging out of their primes, but as we moved into the turn of the decade, a new crop arose. Young, talented and eventually, unfortunately possessing a terrible taste in Cup Final suits.
Steve McManaman was the first breakout, delivering a star turn at Wembley (my first Cup final) as Souness’ reds lifted the FA Cup. Macca was great, but it was the Toxteth terror, Robbie Fowler who really captured the imaginations of young scouse lads around the city. Phenomenally gifted, great touch, quick, lethal in front of goal. They called him God because he did special things.
Next up was Michael Owen, exploding onto the scene, and winning over the hearts of a nation at World Cup 98.
Of course there’s Steven Gerrard, the boy from Huyton who went on to be the best player in the club’s history, the best midfielder on the planet, winning almost every cup possible, and redefining what it meant to wear the captain’s armband. Raheem Sterling would follow, and in recent years we’ve been blessed with the meteoric rise of another scouse star in Trent Alexander-Arnold, the best right back in world football, and currently on the same amount of Premier League assists as Cristiano Ronaldo (but in 65 fewer games)…
???? Trent Alexander-Arnold now has the same number of Premier League assists as Cristiano Ronaldo – in 65 fewer games.
— Matt Addison (@MattAddison97) August 24, 2021
He's also assisting at a faster rate than Dani Alves at Barcelona.
Staggering.https://t.co/lJ3lz1Djt3
As with all aspects of football, we find ourselves constantly clamouring for ‘the next’. Mercifully, Liverpool of 2021 are well stocked in the “next big thing” department. After a star, starting turn against Burnley in the Premier League, Liverpool fans, and the football world got a good look at the 18 year old Harvey Elliott, and what he brings to the table.
Burnley and their old school, brutal, bruising, gang of footballing dinosaurs took a look at the diminutive twinkle-toed kid with the bleached floppy hair and rubbed their hairy knuckled fists together. He was targeted, and in typical Burnley fashion, eventually found flesh and bone with their sweaty haymakers. The kid wasn’t arsed. Never let them see you cry. Up he got, dusted himself off, and once again went back about his business of dancing his way through the slab of raw beef that constitutes Sean Dyche’s backline.
Only the hard lines of offside denied him a wonderfully crafted assist for Salah. The Wonderkid, very much playing Boy Wonder to Salah’s Batman. A promising partnership, and one that already shows a basis of mutual respect, rather than a twee “bring your kid to work day” type vibe.
Of course, it’s early days.
There have been false dawns, and prematurely heralded idols. Jordan Ibe could and maybe should be on the list, after such a bright start to his senior career. Suso is another, whose career has had to take a more circuitous route to the top despite looking a world beater so young. And then there are the Insua’s, Pacheco’s, Adorjan’s, Nemeth’s, Rossiters, and let’s be honest, probably dozens more for whom early promise could not transition into a long term place in Liverpool’s plans, and in most cases, much less competitive Liverpool sides than the current iteration.
HENDO: 10 YEARS A RED BOOKAZINE – BUY HERE
Trent is 22, but his integral place in this side has pushed him firmly beyond the category of “youngster”- he’s not just the future of the team, he is it’s today, too.
It’s actually that last point that adds important context to the discussion. What makes Elliott, and Curits Jones, and even the much less hyped Neco Williams, (and potentially Kaide Gordon) so impressive is that these lads are even getting a look in, let alone a starting football matches. 90’s Liverpool were struggling in transition from the all conquering 80’s dominance, their best players either too old, or too young. Noughties Liverpool had to place too much on the shoulders of too few, burning them out.
The pre and early Klopp Liverpool could not match the aspirations of the few young stars that did break out. This Liverpool is the best Liverpool of the last 30 years. It has world class players, often the best in the world in their positions, a good age balance, has an incredible work ethic, and vitally, a welcoming, nurturing environment. Hendo looked out for a young Trent, so Trent now naturally looks out for a young Harvey. Learn from the best manager in the world, train alongside the best players in the world, be supported by the best fanbase in the world. Fertile soil for the extraordinary to grow.
For the cheap seats, the point is this, if you are getting anywhere near this Liverpool side, it is not by accident. Jurgen Klopp does not hand out matchday places to competition winners, he gives them to those who have proven themselves worthy, both in talent AND in attitude. Though Elliott draws the eye, Curtis Jones’ staggering development now goes under the radar, and beneath that Neco at times draws ire from an ill-informed minority, largely for the ignominy of not being as good as the best right back in the world. Liverpool no longer build for one game, one month, one season, they succeed now whilst building for the future.
So what now? Well, as we’ve seen countless times before, being a wonderkid can certainly help to open the door, but getting inside, and making a home requires the perfect storm or talent, physique, mentality and a giant slice of fortuitous timing. In Harvey’s case then, at the very least, it’s so far so good.
If you want more on Elliott, more on the understated brilliance of Curt Jones and even more on the INCREDIBLE rise of Trent, watch my latest video HERE
