Liverpool continued their concerted approach to bring in promising youngsters recently when they signed teenager Calum Scanlon from Birmingham City.
Speaking to Birmingham Live, the now Reds youngster’s former academy coach James Atkins has praised the left-back. He gushed:
He’s (Scanlon) lightning quick, technically very good. There’s not loads of exceptional left-footed players around but quite early one when I saw him I thought his left foot was outstanding.
The way he manipulated the ball and the way that he moved in tight spaces was exceptional. He took things on board very quickly and he was able to progress in our sessions very quickly. He has very good football intelligence and understanding.
An England youth international, Scanlon’s development drew comparisons to that of Borussia Dortmund starlet Jude Bellingham, who also came through the academy ranks at St Andrew’s before completing a £25m transfer.
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has shown a desire to bolster the youth ranks during his time in charge at Anfield, perhaps with an eye to the club’s Academy providing future stars for the first team.
During his tenure on Merseyside, Klopp has utilised academy graduates such as Curtis Jones, Jake Cain, Neco Williams, Caoimhin Kelleher, Rhys Williams, Nathaniel Phillips and Leighton Clarkson – not to mention a certain Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Often noting his desire to leave a dynasty at the club, Liverpool’s recent academy additions suggest that Klopp certainly seems to have at least one eye on life after he exits; and given the glowing reference from his former coach, Scanlon could well be a future star for the Reds.
