Ki-Jana Hoever has everything in his armoury to become a future great at Liverpool.
The Dutchman made his Reds debut at the age of just 16 last season – a 2-1 defeat at Wolves in the FA Cup.
He also appeared against MK Dons in the Carabao Cup last month, scoring his side’s second goal with a powerful header.
Many see Hoever as one of Liverpool’s most exciting academy players in years, with great things expected of him.
The Daily Mail‘s Secret Scout has claimed that the teenager is like Mark Lawrenson in style, having watched him in action for Liverpool’s under-23s:
One of the outstanding members of the team was Hoever, a 17-year-old Dutch boy playing alongside a ball-winning centre back, also from Holland.
Right-sided Hoever played to a high standard throughout. Smooth on the ball, he always made time for himself in possession.
When he moved forward with the ball, he reminded me of Mark Lawrenson. He had the pace to recover and make a last-ditch tackle after the centre forward had escaped his centre back partner.
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Although some may now think of Lawrenson as ‘Lawro’, the slightly buffoonish BBC pundit, he was once a great player for Liverpool.
A key man alongside Alan Hansen during the 1980s, the former Republic of Ireland international was considered one of the best defenders in the world football.
Comparing Hoever to Lawrenson is, therefore, high praise to the emerging Reds star, suggesting he has a massive future in the game.
He has certainly shown glimpses of his class in the first team and more opportunities may come his way this season.
Equally adept at right-back or centre-back, it will be fascinating to see how he progresses.
