The INSANE stat that proves Liverpool will be fine after Klopp exit

Suraj Radia

• 22 Feb 2024 16:07 GMT
• 4 min read

Liverpool may face the prospect of a rebuild when the Jurgen Klopp era ends at the end of the season but the Reds set a new achievement in their win over Luton this week that suggests the future is bright at Anfield no matter what happens.

A second half rout saw Liverpool defeat Luton 4-1, having been behind at half time – a result that cannot be downplayed considering the injury crisis currently facing Klopp.

Liverpool have seen star players such as Alisson, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez suffer blows in recent weeks, meaning Klopp was forced to draft in a host of under-21 players to fill out his squad for the visit of Luton.

And the resulting outcome saw Liverpool play seven players aged 21 or younger in the same Premier League game for the first time in the club’s history.

Elliott, Jarrel Quansah, Conor Bradley and Ryan Gravenberch started for Liverpool, with Bobby Clark and James McConnell coming off the bench along with Jayden Danns, who made his senior debut in the 88th minute.

The ability for young players to come in and deputise will prove encouraging for Liverpool going into a summer of uncertainty and Klopp’s continued faith in his young talent will provide his successor a strong platform to transition the club going forward.

Quansah and Bradley leading the way for Liverpool’s young guns

In the Premier League last season, only Southampton and Brighton handed more game time to players under the age of 21 than Liverpool, with the likes of Harvey Elliott, Stefan Bajcetic and Fabio Carvalho totalling more than 2500 minutes of action.

However, almost two thirds of those minutes went to Elliott alone, with the 20-year-old battling serious injury and proving to be a first team regular in the midfield.

The signing of Gravenberch in the summer added to Liverpool’s youthful repertoire, while Quansah and Bradley have broken into the first team this season due to the absences to senior players in defence.

Crucially, while Klopp has been forced into giving his youngsters perhaps more minutes than he would have liked due to the injuries, Quansah and Bradley in particular have shone in their game time and ensured Liverpool did not need to exert themselves in the transfer market by looking for inaffordable and short-term cover.

Liverpool will be determined to ensure that any successor to Klopp will follow his trend of fielding youngsters, given the quality and quantity on show this season, and that the new manager can help their wonderkids fulfil their potential.

There may also be the unwanted departure of stars such as Mohamed Salah in the summer, which could further throw Liverpool into transition and, although there will be big shoes to fill, the pathway has been established for a golden generation to lead into the new dawn.