Rush The Kop
Fansided

The best Liverpool Academy players you haven’t heard of yet

By Roy Skillen

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: Steven Gerrard of BT Sport looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: Steven Gerrard of BT Sport looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Matthew Virtue Liverpool Academy
CHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: Andros Townsend of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Matthew Virtue of Liverpool Academy during the Barclays U21 Premier League match between Liverpool U21 and Tottenham Hotspur U21 at Lookers Vauxhall Stadium on January 25, 2016 in Chester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

Matthew Virtue

I for one was really sad to see local lad Jordan Rossiter leave the club last season. There is nothing better than seeing a Liverpool born player with the club etched on his heart taking on all comers at Anfield. Rossiter was surely next in line to succeed where Steven Gerrard had left off but it seems Rossiter saw little in his Anfield future so made the move North of the border to Glasgow Rangers.

With Jordan gone it might be left to midfielder Matthew Virtue to carry the local boy mantle. Although he was born in London he moved with his family to Liverpool aged 11, his mum is a Scouser and Matthew has supported the club he now represents all of his life.

Virtue has been one of the quiet achievers at the Kirkby Academy. Just like Lucas Leiva, you only seem to notice his work rate and influence when he is missing from squad. His understanding and awareness in the centre of the park have seen him promoted to captain of the U23 squad and he is now a regular at first team training sessions in Melwood. It’s an honour that may have been daunting for many, but not Matthew.

“It’s good getting to train with top international players, getting used to the level. Playing with players of that quality can only make you better,” he said of his time at Melwood.

“I don’t feel out of place at all. I felt like I fitted in and can play, which is a good thing.”

With a name like Virtue lets hope he can be a shining light and a leader at the club for years to come!

Home/Liverpool FC News