What happened to Liverpool’s 2019 FA Youth Cup winners?

Liverpool’s 2019 FA Youth Cup triumph was certainly one to remember.

A 5-3 penalty shoot-out win over Manchester City cemented the Reds’ fourth Youth Cup triumph — a trophy lifted by the likes of Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher down the years.

The Manchester City team included a number of players who have gone on to succeed in professional football, including Barcelona’s Eric Garcia, Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong and City first-teamer Cole Palmer, who missed the decisive penalty.

But where are the Liverpool lot? Here's a look at the Liverpool starting XI and where they are now.

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Vítezslav Jaros (GK)

One of the few players to still remain at Liverpool, Vítězslav Jaroš however, is yet to make his professional debut for the club.

In 2021, the Czech keeper spent a season with League of Ireland Premier Division side St Patrick’s Athletic, where the youngster went on to make 34 appearances. Pat’s manager Stephen O’Donnell stated that Jaroš was “the best 20-year-old goalkeeper” he had ever seen.

Two short spells at Notts County and Stockport County followed, with Liverpool’s No. 56 now eagerly waiting for his next move.

Neco Williams (Defender)

Certainly one of the most successful players in the line up is right-back Neco Williams, who went on to make 13 league appearances for Liverpool before a £17m move to Nottingham Forest last summer.

The 22-year-old made his professional debut for the Reds just a few months after their Youth Cup success, starting in a 5-5 (5-4) penalty shoot-out win over Arsenal in the EFL Cup in October 2019.

Williams went on to make his Premier League debut in June 2020, and even secured himself a winner's medal, making just enough appearances to become eligible.

The Welshmen has also gone on to make 30 appearances for the Wales national team, including taking part in both the delayed 2020 UEFA Euros and the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup.

Yasser Larouci (Defender)

Yasser Larouci made his Liverpool first-team debut in January 2020 in the FA Cup third round, replacing James Milner in the first half against Everton, which would go on to be his only professional appearance for the Reds.

The 22-year-old made the switch across the Channel to Troyes in 2021 and has recently signed a season-long loan with Sheffield United after the French side's relegation.

If all goes well, Larouci should be making his Premier League debut this season with the Blades.

Rhys Williams (Defender)

Another player who still remains at Anfield is Rhys Williams, who has recently joined Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen on a season-long loan.

Following the cup final win, Williams joined Kidderminster Harriers on loan in August 2019, signing a loan-term contract with Liverpool on his return a year later. The 22-year-old — who has been with the club since the age of ten — made his first-team debut soon after, against Lincoln in the EFL Cup.

A month later, the centre-back made his Champions League debut against Ajax, before playing the full 90 against Atalanta in November 2020.

Williams went on to play a number of games at the heart of the Liverpool defence in the run-in of the 2020/21 season, in which the Reds clinched third place.

Since then, the 6ft 5in defender has spent loan moves with Swansea and Blackpool but will be hoping this seasons move to Aberdeen will open up plenty more Liverpool opportunities.

Morgan Boyes (Defender)

Morgan Boyes made only two appearances for Liverpool before his departure last year, in cup ties against Aston Villa in 2019 and Shrewsbury Town a few months later.

Soon after that, Boyes spent half a season on loan with Fleetwood Town, only making a handful of appearances before returning and joining Scottish Premiership side Livingston on an 18-month contract.

Since then, the 22-year-old has made 19 league appearances for the Scottish side, having recently triggered a one-year extension keeping his stay there until summer 2024.

Leighton Clarkson (Midfielder)

Just like many more in this list, Leighton Clarkson made his Liverpool professional debut against Aston Villa in the EFL Cup in December 2019, before playing against Shrewsbury Town in February 2020.

The 21-year-old went on to make his Champions League debut in December 2020, as he was named in the starting XI against Danish side FC Midtjylland. A year later he joined Blackburn Rovers on a season-long loan, before cutting his deal short after a disappointing six months.

Clarkson recently departed Liverpool on a permanent basis, joining Scottish side Aberdeen on a four year-deal.

Abdi Sharif

Another player who failed to make a first-team appearance for Liverpool, Abdi Sharif currently plays for the Wigan Athletic Under-21 side, having played only one professional match for senior side.

Sharif left Merseyside for Middlesbrough in 2021. He then spent a short time in the National League North with Telford United during the 2022/23 season, after signing for Wigan.

Jack Cain (Midfielder)

With Liverpool since the age of nine, Jack Cain made his senior debut for Liverpool against Shrewsbury Town in February 2020.

Soon after, he joined Newport County on a season-long loan, making 25 league appearances for the Welsh side before his return to Anfield.

In January 2023, the 21-year-old departed Liverpool, signing a two-and-a-half year contract with Swindon Town. He has since made 16 league appearances for the Wiltshire club, who are currently preparing for the start of the League Two season.

Elijah Dixon-Bonner (Midfielder)

Elijah Dixon-Bonner, like many others, made his first-team debut against Shrewsbury Town in February 2020, before making his second appearance in an EFL Cup tie against Preston North End in October 2021.

The 22-year-old eventually left Anfield in June 2022, signing for QPR. However he failed to make his debut for the London side until March 2023 due to a season of injuries.

Dixon-Bonner will now be hoping for a much better second season with the West London side.

Paul Glatzel (Forward)

Another player who still remains on Merseyside is Paul Glatzel — but the striker is yet to make his professional debut for Liverpool.

In September 2019, the forward signed a long-term contract with Liverpool, eventually missing the following season due to various injuries.

Once back to full fitness, Glatzel joined Tranmere Rovers on a season-long loan in July 2021, going on to make 16 league appearances, scoring four goals.

Bobby Duncan (Forward)

Tipped as one of Liverpool’s ‘future stars’, Bobby Duncan's career has failed to ignite since his 2019 FA Youth Cup win.

In September of the same year, Duncan departed Anfield for Fiorentina, but things haven't gone so smoothly.

At the time of the move, Duncan’s then agent Saif Rubie accused Liverpool of ‘bullying and mentally destroying’ the teenager, but Duncan has since come out to accuse Rubie of forcing him out of Liverpool.

The 22-year-old, who is the cousin of Steven Gerrard, left Italy after just a year, joining Derby County. However the striker failed to make a single league appearance, and now plays for Spanish third division side Linense.