Jurgen Klopp was never shy at giving the kids a try during his nine-year spell as Liverpool manager and his replacement Arne Slot has a similar commitment to developing young homegrown talent.
The Reds’ former boss gave over 40 Liverpool academy players their debut, including a certain Trent Alexander-Arnold who became a crucial cog in Klopp’s ‘mentality monsters’.
Slot arrives on Merseyside with a similar reputation of providing pathways to the first team and will be charged with developing the untapped potential within the squad he inherits.
During the Dutchman’s time at Feyenoord, he was not blessed with deep pockets to bring in talent, so used his nouse for unearthing hidden gems to improve the side.
The 45-year-old used five homegrown players in the Dutch side’s 2022 UEFA Europa Conference League final defeat to Roma. In addition, he started seven players under the age of 23 in at least 10 Eredivisie matches in the 2023-24 campaign. Â
This spells good news for the ‘Kop Kids’ that Klopp provided a platform for at the Reds, especially this season. Here at Mail Sport, we take a look at which Liverpool youngsters could thrive under Slot.
Liverpool have a plethora of academy graduates who have broken through in the past year
Incoming boss, Arne Slot, is renowned for his ability to improve young talent, he he started seven players under the age of 23 in at least 10 Eredivisie matches this seasonÂ
Jurgen Klopp put faith in Liverpool’s youth countless times during his nine years at the RedsÂ
Jarell Quansah, 21Â
Described by Klopp as ‘Virgil van Dijk 2.0’, Jarell Quansah is looks set to follow in his centre-back partner’s footsteps and become one of the Premier League’s best defenders in the coming years.
He was given his chance this season by Klopp due to the injuries picked up by Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip, and he snatched it with both hands. He made 34 appearances in all competitions over the course of the season, even scoring two goals in the final two games.
His breakout season has not gone unnoticed internationally either. Quansah caught Gareth Southgate’s eye enough to be included in England’s provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2024.
Quansah has been on the books at Liverpool since he was five years old, and has progressed through the Reds academy system. He is an aerially dominant presence, who is also assured with the ball at his feet, and a strong tackler.
Slot will be enthusiastically awaiting his chance to work with the 21-year-old, Quansah is the perfect fit for a high-intensity, possession-based style of play.
Jarell Quansah had a breakthrough season in 2023-24 which has seen him selected for England’s Euro 2024 training squad
 Conor Bradley, 20Â
Another player who had his breakout season in Klopp’s final campaign was Conor Bradley. The Northern Irishman impressed deputising for Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, which is not an easy thing to do.
Bradley joined Liverpool at the age of 16 in 2019 from Dungannon United. After impressing in the academy, and on loan at Bolton Wanderers, Bradley got his chance in January of this year and never looked back.
The young full-back finished the season with one goal and six assists from 23 matches in all competitions. He is an aggressive pressing full-back, who can bomb forward and provide swinging crosses into the box.Â
Bradley’s emergence as a rising star at the Reds poses a big question to the incoming manager, Slot, as he is tailor-made for his system. Should he move Alexander-Arnold into the midfield?Â
Conor Bradley could prove a perfect fit for Slot’s high-pressing and high-intensity style of play
Stefan Bajcetic, 19Â
In 2023, Stefan Bajcetic was hailed as a rising star and was a ray of sunshine in a gloomy season as Liverpool finished fifth in the 2022-23 campaign.
Bajcetic signed from Celta Vigo on New Year’s Eve in 2020, before breaking into the senior side just under two years later. However, the brakes were put on his development in Klopp’s final season, and he missed the majority of the campaign due to growing problems.
He did return to make one brief appearance against Tottenham towards the end of the campaign, though, so looks set to return to first-team football once more, to Slot’s delight.
Bajcetic can do a little bit of everything in midfield. While known for his slender frame, the Spaniard breaks up play with his aggressive nature, while he is accurate with his passing. He could certainly shine under Slot’s watchful eye.
Stefan Bajcetic shined in 2022-23 under Klopp and Slot’s arrival could project him back into the spotlight after an injury-hampered season
Bobby Clark, 19Â
Another rising star who rapidly rose through the ranks under Klopp was midfielder Bobby Clark, son of former Newcastle United player, Lee.
Clark arrived on Merseyside from Newcastle in 2021 and quickly rose through the academy sides before making his senior debut in August 2022 in a 9-0 win over Bournemouth.Â
He then more than held his own in the Carabao Cup final in February as one of the Kindergarten Kop which provided an injection of buoyancy to drive Liverpool to a 1-0 win in extra-time.
The talented 19-year-old is a versatile player that can play across the attacking line, or in the middle of the park. The energy he provides will be a great asset to Slot’s high-tempo style.Â
Bobby Clark provides lots of energy in the middle which could prove pivotal for Slot’s system
James McConnell, 19
A different 19-year-old midfielder that Slot can work his magic on is James McConnell, another youngster who was swiped away from the North East.
The Liverpool youngster is yet another one of the academy graduates who more than took his chance in the Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea.
He arrived from Sunderland in 2019 and spent most of his academy years as a midfielder who liked to maraud forward. However, after making his debut for the senior side in October 2023, Klopp used him as a deep-lying playmaker.
With all the midfield talent at Slot’s disposal, McConnell has already proven he can be molded to fit different styles of play.
James McConnell can play in various different positions in midfield and can be molded by the incoming boss
Jayden Danns, 18
Looking to follow in the footsteps of his fellow scousers, Alexander-Arnold, and Curtis Jones, Jayden Danns has already excited the Anfield faithful in his breakthrough season.
Son of former Premier League midfielder, Neil Danns, the 18-year-old joined the academy at just eight years old and made his debut against Luton Town in February, claiming an assist just a solitary minute after being introduced in the 4-1 victory.
Things then only got better for the 6ft striker as he shone during his cameo in the Carabao Cup final, and then netted a brace in the FA Cup fifth-round tie with Southampton.
Slot has a reputation for helping forwards to thrive under his tutelage. Santiago Gimenez is a prime example from his days at Feyenoord, he helped him on his way to netting 49 times for the Dutch side. Danns may blossom in the same way.
Jayden Danns could benefit from Slot’s ability to improve attacking talentÂ
Lewis Koumas, 18
A striker with a famous footballing father, sounds familiar.Â
Lewis Koumas is yet another attacking talent on the production line at Anfield and is the son of former Wales international, Jason Koumas.
The 18-year-old arrived at the Liverpool academy in 2016, from neighbouring EFL side, Tranmere Rovers, and has transitioned into a striker after spending his younger years as a midfielder.
Whoever made that decision knew what they were doing as Koumas netted just 44 minutes into his senior debut against Southampton. Just like Danns, he could be another forward who could benefit from Slot’s ability to improve attacking players.Â
Lewis Koumas is yet another player who shined when given his opportunity by Klopp
Ben Doak, 18
Liverpool could already have a replacement for Mohamed Salah when the proclaimed ‘Egyptian King’ does decide to leave the club.
The player in question is 18-year-old Ben Doak. The Scottish winger joined the Reds in 2022 aged 16 and instantly dazzled when he was involved in the senior set-up.
Injuries hampered his development in Klopp’s final season at Anfield, but despite that, he has still been called up to Scotland’s 28-man training squad for Euro 2024.
His lightning-quick pace partnered with his impressive dribbling ability makes him a special talent that Slot will be keen to nurture.
Ben Doak could be the future right-winger for Liverpool when Mohamed Salah leaves
Others to look out for…
This list could certainly continue with the amount of talent Liverpool have at their disposal, but we will limit this section to just three players that could benefit under the new Reds head coach.
Fabio Carvalho (left) and Tyler Morton (right) both excelled during loan spells at Hull City
Trey Nyoni is a midfielder for the future that Slot will certainly be keen on developing into a star
Tyler Morton and Fabio Carvalho have both returned to the club following successful loan spells at Hull City.Â
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Trey Nyoni has a bright future ahead of him after making a handful of appearances in Klopp’s fareweel campaign. Slot will certainly be keen developing the bucketful of emerging talent that he will have at his disposal when he arrives on June 1.