Liverpool academy stars who could break through in 2023/24

With the 2023/24 pre-season officially underway, Liverpool's young stars have a massive opportunity to impress. 

After a pretty underwhelming campaign on all fronts last year, fans are hopeful that Jurgen Klopp can get his team back to their very best and competing for honours once again in 2024.

The much-discussed rebuild is underway, with two new signings already arriving and many others heading out the door.

Amid the turnover, there could be room for some academy talent to make the step, as Stefan Bajcetic did so impressively last season.

With four trophies to hunt down in 2023/24, including the Europa League — a tournament famous for allowing young talent to shine — let's take a look at the Liverpool youngsters who might just earn a place in Klopp's plans.

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Jarell Quansah

Age: 20

Position: Centre-back

READ MORE: Jarell Quansah: Liverpool’s next academy star?

The 20-year-old from Warrington made 34 academy appearances last season, scoring twice, and is known for being stylish and composed on the ball, while his physical attributes — he's 6ft 3in — mean he is as strong in the air as on the ground.

As things stand, the right-footed centre half looks unlikely to get regular first-team opportunities this season — barring another 2020/21 level injury crisis.

However, with Ibrahima Konate's fitness record and big question marks over the futures of Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Nat Phillips, Klopp and the Reds' coaching team will be thinking about the long term.

The Europa League group stage could be a good proving ground.

Billy Koumetio

Age: 20

Position: Centre-back

From one defender to the next. Billy Koumetio is a left-footed defender who made headlines for a spectacular goal from inside his own half against PSG in the the Under-21s Premier League International Cup back in January.

The 6ft 5in French defender spent the second half of last season on loan at Austria Wien — though he only played in five first team games — and has previous senior Reds experience, having made his Champions League debut against FC Midtjylland back in December 2020.

While, much like Quansah, his chances of first-team football may seem slim, opportunities could arise in the cup competitions, especially if Liverpool fail to sign another defender.

Conor Bradley

Age: 20

Position: Right-back

Leaving Liverpool as a promising full-back in need of first-team experience, Bradley was deployed as an attacking wing-back for EFL Trophy winners Bolton Wanderers, where he contributed seven goals in 53 appearances.

Along the way, the Northern Ireland international picked up both Bolton's Supporters' and Players’ Player of the Year trophies, while he also shared the Young Player of the Year Award.

With James Milner's permanent departure and Calvin Ramsay's confirmed loan spell, Klopp has already said the plan is to keep Bradley around for next season, where he is likely to play understudy to Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Luke Chambers

Age: 19

Position: Left-back

Preston-born Chambers has been with the Liverpool academy since the age of 6.

The attacking full back has gained admirers plenty of admirers outside the club in recent times, having won the Under-19 European Championships with England last summer and then going on loan to Kilmarnock in the second half of the 2022/23 campaign.

This summer he has even been linked with a move to Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen, though if he stays put on Merseyside, he could well challenge for game time, with Kostas Tsimikas' long-term future still unclear.

Tyler Morton

Age: 20

Position: Midfielder

Undoubtedly the most experienced of the list — with nine first-team appearances for Liverpool, including starts in the Premier League and the Champions League — 20-year-old Morton will certainly be aiming to impress Klopp in pre-season.

With the ultimate aim to become an option at the base of Liverpool's midfield, the youngster from Wallasey's impressive campaign with Blackburn Rovers in the Championship would have certainly done him some favours.

Morton was a regular starter across the 2022/23 season, picking up four assists along the way as Blackburn narrowly missed out on the final playoff position by goal difference.

During a pre-season where it's all change for Liverpool's midfield and spots are up for grabs, Morton could well become a useful squad option for Klopp.

Bobby Clark

Age: 18

Position: Midfielder

Having arrived from the Newcastle academy as a forward, Bobby Clark — son of ex-Toon star Lee Clark — spent the duration of last season being deployed as a central midfielder.

The 18-year-old played an impressive 2,745 minutes across Liverpool's academy teams in 2022/23, picking up two goals and four assists along the way, while also making two first-team appearances.

With the club currently undergoing their midfield rebuild, but having only brought in two bodies to replace five (so far) that have been lost in the middle of the park, there could be no better time for Clark to step up and impress if given the opportunity.

Additionally, with Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott likely to be eased back in following their England Under-21 triumph, Clark may get the chance for more pitch time in pre-season.

Ben Doak

Age: 17

Position: Winger

Perhaps the most high-profile out of Liverpool's current academy crop, Ben Doak is tipped to have a more senior role for the club after massively impressing in small bursts last season.

The Scotland Under-21 international bagged 11 goals and contributed eight assists across the Premier League 2, Under-18 Premier League and UEFA Youth League, and earned a handful of first team cameos — most notably in the 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup third-round replay.

With Fabio Carvalho out on loan freeing up a space in the squad and plenty of football to play over the year, many fans are eager to see the former Celtic starlet become the understudy for Mohamed Salah.

Klopp has said "the door is open".

Kaide Gordon

Age: 18

Position: Forward

One of Liverpool's most exciting young talents, Kaide Gordon is finally set to return to full training later this month, after a year and a half on the sidelines.

Ever since February 2022, 18-year-old Gordon has been suffering with a pelvic growth issue, but the attacker — who joined from Derby in 2021 — is now officially running again, and will no doubt be eager to get back on the pitch and make up for lost time.

Prior to his injury woes, Gordon became the Reds' second youngest ever goalscorer when he netted against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup.