Written by Priya Kaur
It is no secret that Liverpool’s academy is one of the strongest in the Premier League with an effective loan philosophy which helps increase a player’s market value.
Whilst this summer has been one of mass change at the club with some of those fabled ‘Klopp’s Kids’ having either left or are potentially heading out of the exit door before Friday night’s deadline, there remains a plethora of incredible talent amongst the youngsters at the AXA.
This report gives a detailed analysis of ten players, offering insights into their current performance, playing style, and potential fit within the tactical framework of Arne Slot.
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Fabian Mrozek
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 20
Stats (All Competitions 23/24)
Appearances: 21
Clean Sheets: 5
Goals Conceded: 44
Style of Play: Mrozek excels in shot-stopping and aerial control with precise distribution and a commanding presence in goal. In the modern game, he also possesses an attribute crucial to a successful goalkeeper; being able to play the ball with his feet.
Fit into Slot’s system: His ball-playing abilities allow him to align well with Slot’s expectations of a goalkeeper who needs to be confident in high-pressure situations.
Potential: Curently enjoying a strong start to life on loan at Swedish side IF Brommapojkarna, given the notable squad appearances for Mrozek last season, it is evident that he has the foundational temperament to become an option for the Reds’ first team in the future.
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Kieran Morrison
Position: Right Winger
Age: 17
Stats (All Competitions 23/24)
Appearances: 30
Goals: 13
Assists: 4
Style of play: Morrison is a very aggressive attacker whose first thought is always about making things happen in the final third. A left-footed right-winger with an eye and more importantly the ability to score spectacular goals, the Northern Ireland youth international enjoyed a superb campaign last term and looks to be an exciting prospect for the future.
Fit in Slot’s system: In a similar mould to Mohamed Salah stylistically, there are few systems a player of that ilk wouldn’t fit in. Albeit early days for Morrison, the talented teenager continues to impress and rarely walks away from a match without having stood out.
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson: “Kieran’s vision and technical ability are exceptional for his age. He has a knack for finding pockets of space and making incisive passes that can break down opposition defences.”
Potential: The 17-year-old’s control shows his potential, but there is still plenty of room for improvement and development, particularly he may need to refine his physicality and defensive skills. Don’t be shocked to see Morrison make a meteoric rise.
Carter Pinnington
Position: Centre-Back
Age: 17
Stats (All Competitions 23/24)
Appearances: 28
Points Per Game: 1.57
Style of Play: Pinnington is known for his robust defending, aerial-playing ability, and playing out from the back. A complete defender despite his tender years, the England Under 16 youth international is already physically ahead of his years and stands out in Under 18 clashes in particular.
Fit into Slot’s System: Centre-backs in Slot’s system have to be able to play the ball at their feet and contribute to build-up play and Pinnington reads the game well and applies himself to both defensive and build-ip phases.
Potential: Pinnington’s blend of defensive solidity and technical ability positions him as a strong candidate for future development into a first-team role.
Amara Nallo
Position: Centre-Back
Age: 17
Stats (All Competitions 23/24)
Appearances: 23
Goals: 1
Style of Play: Nallo is strong in one-on-one situations and comfortable playing out from the back. A front-footed defender who looks to deal with situations before they evolve into problems, much in the style of Ibrahima Konate, the teenage starlet certainly has plenty of impressive qualities.
Fit into Slot’s System: Being a ball-playing defender who can initiate attacks, Nallo’s composure and defensive prowess make him well-suited for the role.
Quote: “Amara’s physical attributes and ability to read the game are outstanding. He is a leader at the back and is increasingly comfortable with the ball at his feet.”
Potential: Signed from West Ham last summer having been identified as a potential star of the future at the first-team level, Nallo has certainly made impressive strides following his arrival and has already appeared on a Premier League substitutes bench. His strength sets him apart and perhaps indicates that he is one to watch for the future.
Wellity Lucky
Position: Centre-Back
Age: 18
Stats (All Competitions 23/24)
Appearances: 17
Goals: 1
Style of Play: Born in Spain, having come through the ranks at the Liverpool academy, the four-cap England youth international has hallmarks of Klopp’s legacy on the system. Lucky is physically dominant and known for his strong tackling and calmness under pressure.
Fit into Slot’s System: The 18-year-old maintains defensive discipline and solidity which correlates with the manager’s style.
Potential: Lucky has a blend of physicality, defensive acumen and emerging ball-playing abilities. With these qualities, he can really shine under the guidance of Arne Slot.
Calum Scanlon
Position: Left Back
Age: 19
Stats (All Competitions 23/24)
Appearances: 15
Goals: 1
Assists: 1
Style of Play: Scanlon is known for his stamina, crossing ability and defensive reliability.
Fit into Slot’s System: Scanlon contributes with both defence and attack, and his overlapping runs as well as crossing will make him a perfect fit.
Quote: “Calum’s work rate and ability to contribute both defensively and offensively are his key strengths. His crossing has improved, and he provides a strong presence on the left flank.”
Potential: Scanlon’s athleticism and attacking prowess are certainly there, but having suffered injury issues in 23/24, the 19-year-old may need a loan spell away from Liverpool in order to get his development trajectory back on track.
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Jayden Danns
Position: Centre-Forward
Age: 18
Stats (All Competitions 23/24)
Appearances: 25
Goals: 19
Assists: 4
Style of Play: Danns is an energetic player known for his box-to-box capabilities and work rate. He covers large areas of the pitch and presses high. But, perhaps most importantly of all, certainly has a knack for scoring goals and lots of them.
Fit into Slot’s System: Slot’s system emphasises high pressing and dynamic play. Dann’s ability to contribute in both defensive and attacking phases fits well with this approach. Renowned for getting the best out of physically imposing frontmen such as Santiago Gimenez, Danns’ attributes certainly lend themselves to the Dutchman’s ideas.
Potential: Under Klopp, Danns flourished and his stock was rapidly on the rise, however this season, has been halted by injury problems. Due to this, the player is expected to make a loan move in January with a view to returning to Merseyside with more first-team action under his belt.
Trent Kone Doherty
Position: Left-Winger
Age: 18
Stats (All Competitions 23/24)
Appearances: 27
Goals: 15
Assists: 3
Style of Play: Doherty is a dynamic, skilful winger known for his pace, dribbling ability and creativity in the final third. He excels at taking on defenders and delivering dangerous crosses or cutting inside to create scoring opportunities.
Fit into Slot’s System: Slot’s tactics often involve wingers who can stretch play and contribute to both goals and assists.
Quote: “His pace and ability to take on defenders make him a constant threat on the left wing. His crossing and finishing have improved significantly, making him a well-rounded attacking option.”
Potential: Kone’s ability to beat defenders and create chances as well as his speed moulds him well for future first-team involvement, particularly in a system that values quick, direct wingers.
Lewis Koumas
Position: Left-Winger
Age: 18
Stats (All Competitions 23/24)
Appearances: 24
Goals: 15
Assists: 6
Style of Play: An extremely direct operator, Koumas is a versatile attacking player known for his creativity, dribbling, and ability to operate in tight spaces. He often acts as a playmaker, or secondary forward, using his vision and technique to create goal-scoring opportunities.
Fit into Slot’s System: Koumas’ ability to dribble past opponents and create chances fits into the tactical setup of the Dutch manager as it often involves fluid attacking moments and creative interplay in the final third.
Potential: The 18-year-old has a flair and creative abilities to suggest he will develop into a key first-team player if he continues to enhance his decision-making and finishing in order to become a significant contributor under Slot. Currently on loan at Championship side Stoke City, Koumas continued to enhance his reputation with a goal against West Brom over the weekend.
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Tommy Pilling
Position: Central Midfield
Age: 19
Stats (All Competitions 23/24)
Appearances: 25
Assists: 2
Style of Play: Predominantly a deeper lying midfielder, Pilling has the anticipation and balling-winning qualities to play the role superbly, particularly when coupled with the teenager’s excellent use of the ball when in possession.
Fit into Slot’s System: Much has been made of the need for a ball-playing ‘six’ and Pilling has many of the qualities in order with which to carry out the role.
Potential: Still a long way to go but the early signs this season are promising having starred in an otherwise disappointing night against Jong PSV. Could well be one of the surprise packages from the academy.
Redmen Reacts
Whatever happens between now and the end of the window regarding academy prospects such as Ben Doak, Tyler Morton, Stefan Bajcetic and others, it appears as though it’s been a summer of transition for the Reds’ youth ranks and results have somewhat begun to reflect exactly that.
Despite the uncertainty, those named above, among others, remain prodigious talents who, with all being well, go on to enjoy top careers either at Liverpool or elsewhere.
