Liverpool’s academy has often offered a conveyor belt of talent.
The famous Kirkby and Melwood setup has birthed world class football brains. From the early days of Billy Liddell, Ian Callaghan and Phil Thompson – to the more recent graduates of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen.
And who can forget today’s prodigy, Trent Alexander-Arnold.
These are specific examples across generations. There has been barren spells in which the academy produces prospects that don’t establish themselves as long-term Liverpool footballers.
Fans love a young player and always get behind an academy graduate – often leading to misconceptions of their actual ability.
Three of which in recent years have ended up in the same destination. Championship side Derby County.
As the three are from different generations of Liverpool talent, they each are at different stages of their careers. So how have they gone so far? And what do Derby supporters think of their potential in white?
PART ONE – ANDRE WISDOM
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Andre Wisdom was born in Leeds in 1993. Yes, he is 27 years old. I can’t believe it either!
The commanding defender was originally part of Bradford City’s youth academy until the age of 15, before being snapped up by Rafa Benitez in 2008. The fee was ‘unprecedented’ for a League Two youth player according to Peter Horne, Bradford’s academy manager.
I can remember the excitement at the turn of the decade for Wisdom, who was part of the England Under-17s side who won the European Championship in 2010.
He featured alongside then teammate Conor Coady, Ross Barkley, Jack Butland and Nathaniel Chalobah – who have all featured for the senior side since.
Other notable names in that squad included Saido Berahino, Benik Afobe and Ben Gibson.
He first featured in the matchday squad of the infamous penalty defeat to Northampton Town after a 2-2 draw after 120 minutes.
But his debut would come two managers later, under Brendan Rodgers.
In September 2012, Andre Wisdom scored on his debut as the Reds beat Swiss giants BSC Young Boys by five goals to three. Other scorers that day? Jonjo Shelvey (2) and Sebastian Coates, with a Juhani Ojala own goal.
Wisdom signed a new long-term deal at Anfield in January 2013, but that 12/13 season would be the only one in which he was regular in Liverpool Red.
The following campaign he featured just three times in all competitions before joining Derby County for the first time – a loan deal until the end of the season.
He played 34 times as Derby reached the playoff final at Wembley under Steve McLaren – but the Rams would fall just short as Bobby Zamora fired home late on for Queens Park Rangers.
Two more loan spells in the Premier League followed – with West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City – before Wisdom plied his trade abroad with RB Salzburg for a season in 2016/17.
Wisdom did feature a few times in pre-season for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp, yet never competitively. He would leave the club to rejoin Derby County permanently in 2017 for a reported £4.5 million fee.
He’s gone on to make 67 appearances in all competitions so far, and is reputed among Derby fans for being committed to the cause.
I asked a few Rams fans for their opinion on the former England Under-21s skipper.
"“I’d say Wisdom is inconsistent, but has recently found better form playing as a central defender instead of on the right.“He’s a reliable defender but can often be caught out.”Jacob Hackett"
"“We were very happy when Wisdom signed after his initial loan spell with the club. He is a strong player who always gives 100%, and us fans love him as showcased by our flag for him.”Tyler Tarft"
So for Wisdom at 27, there is little likelihood of him reaching what we thought was his full potential is slim.
But he has developed into a fundamentally hard-working and likeable defender – which, as Tyler mentioned, was shown in support for his stabbing in Liverpool last year.
He will likely see out his career at the top end of the Championship, or the lower ends of the top flight.