Liverpool’s next breakout star could save Jurgen Klopp millions with forgotten man set to re-emerge

It’s just over two weeks until Liverpool head back to pre-season training, where Jurgen Klopp will be hoping to start preparing for a much-improved campaign this time around.

Liverpool finished outside the Champions League places for the first time in six years last season, and pre-season will be key to ensure the Reds get themselves back in the mix.

They’ll begin those preparations with at least one new addition, as Alexis Mac Allister joins his new team-mates after a switch from Brighton.

But he won’t be the only one looking to impress in training, with several youngsters looking to force their way into Klopp’s plans.

The teenager joined Liverpool from Celtic for £600k last summer and, having played in an Old Firm derby for the Hoops as a 16-year-old, it was clear he was one to watch right from the get-go. While starting with the Reds’ Under-18s, the forward was always going to climb the ladder quickly.

He’d score on his debut for the Under-18s against Middlesbrough, Under-19s in the UEFA Youth League against Napoli, and Under-21s against Accrington Stanley in the Papa John’s Trophy, before netting the winner for Barry Lewtas’ side against Everton on his first U21s start. In total, from PL2, UEFA Youth League, U18 Premier League, and Papa John’s Trophy action, he’d return an eye-catching 11 goals and eight assists from just 27 appearances.

But the 17-year-old is far more than just ‘cold statistics’ at youth level. Beyond the goals and assists, he is a genuinely exciting player who gets fans on their feet, and shows no fear whatever the level.

It’s that confidence that saw Jurgen Klopp hand him his senior debut when still only 16 against Derby County in November. While there would be no maiden goal this time, he continued to beat players for fun, with former Everton man Lucas Digne memorably a later victim when Doak made his Premier League debut against Aston Villa.

Finishing last season with five first team appearances, 2023/24 is poised to be a real breakout year for Doak. He’ll get pre-season to impress, with the domestic cups presenting obvious senior opportunities in the months ahead. If named in the Europa League squad, that proves a great platform for the forward too.

And if this sharp trajectory continues, don’t bet against him making a mark in January when Mohamed Salah departs for AFCON duty. Liverpool fans were granted the most promising of glimpses from Doak last season, but that was just the beginning.

Joe Rimmer: Ben Doak may be the youngster who most fans expect to step-up next season but supporters could be forgiven for forgetting that he’s not the only exciting young attacker on Liverpool’s books at this moment in time.

Indeed, don’t sleep on Kaide Gordon, who will no doubt be desperate to make up for lost time when the season kicks off.

This is a young man who was chased by Manchester United and could cost as much as £3m if he fulfils his potential. It might not sound like a lot but it’s actually quite the investment for a player who was just 16 at the time. And Liverpool showed their faith in Gordon by going back to Derby months later and paying another £500,000 to remove a sell-on clause in his deal.

Gordon, who was labelled ‘special’ by Jurgen Klopp just last year, made four appearances for the Reds in 2021/22, making his debut at just 16 and becoming Liverpool’s second youngest ever scorer with a goal against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup just a couple of months later. He was rated highly by Wayne Rooney during his time at Derby, too.

Skilful, quick and still only 18, Gordon was way ahead of others in his age group before injuries struck. He’s not played at any level for 16 months but, with a bit of luck, will be back in full training soon and part of Liverpool’s pre-season plans.

Should all go to plan, then Doak will have competition as the most exciting young winger at Anfield.

Tom Cavilla: A perfect opportunity has opened up for Conor Bradley following his hugely impressive loan spell in League One last season.

The 19-year-old featured a total of 53 times for Bolton Wanderers in all competitions, chipping in with seven goals and six assists along the way as Ian Evatt’s side finished in the play-off places.

As far as temporary moves go, Bradley’s Bolton move will go down as one of the best Liverpool have done in recent times. Often the case with such deals, Liverpool players can struggle for first-team minutes and subsequently see their stays cut short during the January window. For the teenager defender, the opposite applied as he became a virtual ever-present in the Whites’ side.

Returning to the Reds a more well-rounded player, Jurgen Klopp should turn to the teenager as a rotational option next term. A move away from a traditional right-back role, with Trent Alexander-Arnold serving as an inverted full-back, may complicate matters but chances should nonetheless arise for the Northern Ireland international.

Calvin Ramsay’s loan move to Preston North End will only boost his chances of staking a first-team claim, Liverpool now left short of options in this area. The early stages of the Europa League could act as the perfect platform for Klopp to experiment with Bradley which could, in turn, see the youngster be called upon on a more regular basis.

Ste Killen: Last season we saw the likes of Ben Doak and Stefan Bajcetic burst onto the scene as they both enjoyed impressive spells in the Liverpool first team squad. With the current inflated climate surrounding the transfer market, the Reds could delve into their array of talent in Kirkby to unearth the next gem and save them millions.

With Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip now heading towards the end of their peak years, soon enough there will be a requirement to replenish their defensive structure – as we’re seeing in midfield following the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister and talks surrounding some of the hottest U21 prospects in Europe.