Young Reds keep growing, fly into the FA Cup QF
There was some mild trepidation on how Liverpool would react following their dramatics in the Carabo Cup Final on Sunday. The side is still ravaged by injury and relying on a lot of young, unproven Academy products.
As it turns out, whoever had those qualms was for naught, because Liverpool once again rose to the occasion. There was an admittedly shaky opening 20 minutes where the Reds were disengaged and vulnerable.
Caoimhin Kelleher stepped up as usual to cover the blemishes until the rest of his mates could get their footing in the match.
Speaking of the Irishman, it is becoming clearer and clearer that he deserves to be shining as a No. 1 keeper somewhere and we're lucky to have him right now.
With that being said, as I wrote yesterday, it was a youth-laden Starting XI for Jurgen Klopp and once again, the youngsters responded in kind. Bobby Clark looks like a real dynamo in the midfield as he is constantly driving the side forward.
It was his progressive pass that led to another Academy player, Lewis Koumas, getting the opener against the run of play it must be said.
Koumas, who normally plays through the middle as a finisher, was pushed wide left in this one and he still put in a proper shift and got his debut goal. Putting these young players in these massive moments, be it Sunday, tonight or any other match during the season, is only going to be an amazing foundation for their development.
Jayden Danns has made three Senior team appearances in a week. The first three of his career, and each time he has gotten better and better. He took two well worked goals off the bench in a breathtaking cameo.
We even saw the debut of 16 year-old Treymaurice Nyoni who became the 3rd youngest player to ever feature for the Reds when he came on in the closing stages.
While we are rightly aggrieved by so many Senior stars being injured, it has shown us what our future could look like. That future is very bright.
There's no guarantee that all of these players are going to blossom into full blown superstars. If only 2-3 do and the rest are still useful players, it will be a massive win. The post-Klopp era might not be so daunting if the incoming manager can build on the seemingly ironclad foundation these kids have been given.
For now, we can just savor the moment as all of these youngsters experience their Liverpool "First's" and grow together as they are mentored by some of the biggest names in the sport.
If Wednesday's comprehensive FA Cup win over an in-form Championship side is any indication, "Klopp's Kids" are well on the way to becoming Liverpool Regulars. The club will be all the better for it now, and most certainly in the future.