Klopp reveals Liverpool ‘dream’; hails ‘unbelievable’ teen

Matt Stead
liverpool

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that “the dream is to have all boys local, a team full of Scousers”.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has emerged to take the mantle from Kop legends such as Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Jay Spearing, the right-back having joined the club’s youth system at the age of six.

Curtis Jones is likely to make that step up into the Liverpool first team next and could be followed by a slew of academy imports if Klopp gets his way.


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“There’s always a plan,” he said. “It’s about education and showing training works and that they’re ready.

“They are here because, in the moment, they get the benefit from what we do for them. But that’s a fair deal because in the end we get the benefit from what they’re doing.

“What pleases me most about it is that the boys are so humble and hard-working. The perfect scenario is that we have these role models about, these slightly older guys, who show the way you have to be.

“It’s pretty likely they will have proper careers. You need luck, injury-wise for example. The dream is to have all boys local, a team full of Scousers. That’s not a bad thing, to be a Scouser. It’s a good thing. They will fight like crazy.

“The door is open, as well, for all the other boys who want to play football. If it’s ten Scousers, there’s no problem with that.”

The German suggested Neco Williams could soon make the permanent step up at Liverpool, along with “unbelievable” winger Harvey Elliott.

“Neco made exactly the same steps like Harvey and Curtis,” he said. “He’s a bit lucky that the full-back situation is like it is now. It’s a little bit easier to have minutes in a very intense time.

“At 17, it’s unbelievable how good Harvey is. These boys need time but we will use them as often as possible. That’s the plan with them. Whatever we can save out there in the crazy world of transfer markets is good.

“But the boys have to commit. That’s why I’m happy with the contracts. There is always an easier one. You can make sure you are playing now, week in, week out. Or you can prepare for a career. That’s what we are doing. It will be really good for them.

“We have proven it’s not about how old you are or who you are, just how good you are. Then you will play.”