21 Jan 2024 22:43:31
Kelleher, Bradley, Elliot, Jones, Beck, Quansah, McConnell, Clark and Gordon.

All have come through from the Liverpool Academy, all of them were in the match day squad and six of them got playing time in a match that saw us go five points clear at the top of the table.

We didn’t have TAA, Matip, Robbo, Dom, Endo, Mo, Thiago and Baj available and all of them would most likely be included in our normal match day squad with most as starters, and, as I say, we went five points clear at the top of the table.

I’d say we have a fair bit to look forward to over this and the coming seasons.

Really looking forward to our next match, which is a brilliant thing to say for any fan.

1.) 22 Jan 2024
21 Jan 2024 23:09:24
Definitely, thanks FSG.

2.) 22 Jan 2024
21 Jan 2024 23:35:40
If only we could get the results that chelsea get from their exceptionally well run and fruitful academy.

3.) 22 Jan 2024
22 Jan 2024 00:20:18
Couldn’t agree more West
Fantastic dynamic within this squad.

4.) 22 Jan 2024
22 Jan 2024 00:42:06
I just hope they get and continue to get their chances, especially Bajectic as I think there is real world class potential there. Quansah I'm not worried about with Matip going in the Summer but our midfield is well stocked so not sure where Bajectic gets a game.

5.) 22 Jan 2024
22 Jan 2024 08:02:27
Bajcetic for me will be a starter when fully up to speed. He could well become the best of the lot.

6.) 22 Jan 2024
22 Jan 2024 08:11:39
Not sure we can claim Elliott as “came through the academy” when he made his actual premiership debut at Fulham but I get and agree with your point about the excitement.

7.) 22 Jan 2024
22 Jan 2024 08:33:22
Are we putting a little too much pressure on Baj?

The kids only started I think 10 games for us in his career which is the same as Rhys Williams and he’s only started one game in the last 9 months.

That’s a long time to be without football.

Don’t get me wrong I think the lad looks like he has lots of potential but I think we need to see him playing over a prolonged period of time.

8.) 22 Jan 2024
22 Jan 2024 09:00:32
They all came through our academy, Metro, some spent longer there than others.

Elliot, Clarke and Gordon joined in their mid teens from other academies, much like Sterling did when he joined our academy from QPR when he was c14.

All of them have saved us an average of £20m per position from being good enough to contribute from our bench, despite the fees they may have cost.

We’re not quite up there with Chelsea’s academy but we are certainly moving in the right direction.

9.) 22 Jan 2024
22 Jan 2024 09:48:36
MetroRed, I just read that Elliott actually now qualifies as an academy graduate due to him arriving here at 16 or something like that. I could be wrong, of course.

As to our academy and all that, Im happy that the club has invested in it and it is now bearing fruit of the last decade or so. Not arsed about what other clubs do with their academies and all that.

10.) 25 Jan 2024
23 Jan 2024 06:31:53
The original post made reference as if our academy brought the players to fruition. I am sure when we bought him as ALREADY A DEBUT PREM PLAYER that we helped develop further, as we do with all player we purchase no matter of their age or experience.

My point is I am not sure we can claim him a “product” of our academy when he was already ready to make a Prem debut as a result of another’s academy, or does that mean you can be a product of multiple academies.

I really am not bothered by what the “official” academy player rules are that is for alternate purpose as opposed to bragging rights about the greatness of one’s academy.

I, as a Liverpool fan, don’t have to take a “freebie” to be proud of what we have in our academy structure and I certainly don’t want other fans claiming I do!