The Liverpool wonderkids who could follow in Alexander-Arnold's footsteps at Anfield

OK, we’ll start with an obvious one, and one who made his first steps into senior football with Liverpool last season.

Gordon doesn’t turn 18 until October, but he has already played in the Premier League, scored at Anfield in the FA Cup against Shrewsbury and started at Arsenal in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup.

A smart, skilful winger with excellent finishing ability, the former Derby County youngster is perhaps the brightest prospect at the club right now, outside of first-teamers such as Jones, Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho.

It will be interesting to see how he develops this season, when he will hope for more chances to shine.

Another to have enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last time out, the Wirral-born midfielder, who has been with the club since the age of seven, made nine appearances in total, including starts against Tottenham in the Premier League and both Porto and AC Milan in the Champions League.

A good all-rounder, he is expected to develop into a No.8 as opposed to a holding midfield player, and while there is clear room for improvement physically, the 19-year-old made a fine impression on Klopp and his staff with his technical quality and range of passing.

Quietly, Liverpool may have pulled off a hell of a coup in signing this versatile Spanish U18 international from Celta Vigo at the start of 2021.

Bajcetic, the son of a former Serbian international, can play either as a centre-back or in midfield, and made significant strides last season before a back injury curtailed his campaign.

Composed on the ball, excellent in the air and with the ability to read the game expertly, he is one whom academy staff have high hopes for going forward.

It’s hard to ignore anyone who scores more than 40 goals in a season, and Cannonier was that man for Liverpool last season.

He netted 28 times in the U18 Premier League North, and will now look to make the step up to U23 level this year.

While small in stature, the Leeds-born forward comes alive in and around the penalty box, where his movement and finishing ability off either foot stands out.

Will need to fill out physically, and may find the step up in level tough to begin with, but has made huge steps in the last 12 months.

Like Gordon and Bajcetic, Clark joined the club in 2021, signing from Newcastle. The son of former Magpies midfielder Lee, he enjoyed a fine first season on Merseyside, appearing for the U18s and U23s, as well as in the UEFA Youth League.

A tireless worker with an eye for goal, he often played as a left-sided forward but also looked comfortable slotting into a midfield three.

Was one of three players singled out by Pep Lijnders after an FA Youth Cup win over Burnley in February, so look out for him in pre-season.

The captain of the U18s last season, Chambers is a consistent performer who can play as a left-back or at centre-back, and can do both at a high level.

Known at the academy for his one-v-one defending and his sweet left foot, he has been part of England’s squad at the European U19 Championships this summer, and looks to have the mentality to kick on with Liverpool’s U23 side this season.

A fine prospect.

Already well-versed in first-team matters, having spent much of last season training with Klopp’s squad, the Brazilian goalkeeper has a chance to move up the pecking order in the next 12 months as Adrian comes to the end of his time.

Pitaluga doesn’t turn 20 until December, and has benefited from the addition of countryman Claudio Taffarel to Liverpool’s staff.

He may need a loan eventually, but for now he’ll have his eye on making himself third choice at Anfield behind Alisson Becker and Caoimhin Kelleher.

An exciting talent who endured a tough second season with the club, the Polish youth international flitted between the U23s and U18s, showing only flashes of his undoubted talent.

Still only 18, however, and possesses major qualities in terms of his touch, balance and dribbling ability. Will be looking to take the next step this season and establish himself as a star for the U23s.

One of the best moments of last season was the return to action of the academy’s 2020-21 top scorer Stewart, after a year out with a serious knee injury.

The young Scouser has worked tirelessly to get back to full fitness, and marked his return with a trademark 20-yard strike in a friendly at Leicester.

Now, he will be looking to get a full pre-season under his belt and pick up where he left off before the injury, when he was developing rapidly into a fine all-round centre-forward.

A loan move could be in the offing at some point this season.

Another to have recently returned from long-term injury, Hill missed the best part of two years having damaged knee ligaments on the eve of the 2020-21 campaign, but should be fit to resume his career this summer.

He’s already got a ‘first-team’ appearance to his name, after featuring in that strange Carabao Cup quarter-final at Aston Villa in December 2019, and the Formby-born attacking midfielder, who plays with real energy and has a keen eye for goal, will now be looking to make up for lost time.

Several others at Liverpool have had a taste of first-team football in recent seasons.

Some, like defenders Rhys Williams and James Norris, midfielders Leighton Clarkson and Jake Cain and forwards Paul Glatzel and Max Woltman may get opportunities to go out on loan, while others such as wingers Melkamu Frauendorf and Harvey Blair will seek to establish themselves as U23s regulars.

The progress of the versatile Isaac Mabaya will be worth watching, as will that of Jarell Quansah, who is currently starring for England’s U19 side.