---
title: "Three For The Future"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/three-for-the-future/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Zac Cocken"
section: "Articles"
published: "2013-03-19T12:18:35Z"
modified: "2013-08-23T23:09:00Z"
---

# Three For The Future

“This is your chance to impress” says Steven Gerrard as he passes you in the Anfield tunnel. You walk down those steps underneath the famous sign, on to the pitch, surrounded by thousands of supporters singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.

This is something we’ve all no doubt dreamed about at some point or another. But for some, that dream has become a reality. After somewhat of a drought, the Kirkby Academy is once again firing on all cylinders. This season we have seen the rise of Andre Wisdom, Raheem Sterling, and Suso from U21 level. Mean while, Jonjo Shelvey has returned from a loan spell at Blackpool and has established himself into the senior set up.

There are many more starlets in the various levels of academy football at the moment, but I’m going to focus on the three ‘Senior’ junior players if you will.

**Raheem Sterling**

The youngest international in Liverpool history; the ‘wonderkid’ with a new big-money contract. There’s nothing better than a bit of pressure is there?

Raheem Sterling has excited everyone at Liverpool since he joined from QPR in 2010, especially in the last two seasons. But is he at risk of burnout? At just 18 he’s started 19 Premier League games under Brendan Rodgers, and only been subbed off four times. However, he is an exceptional talent, and Brendan’s hands were well and truly tied when it came to attacking options in the first half of the season.

Has the step up improved his game? Yes. Is he ready for first team football week in, week out? In my opinion, no. Although he has matured dramatically (he’s had to), I don’t think he has that composure in the final third that he shows in the youth setup. I feel he needs more time on the fringes, dropping in and out of the first team when Rodgers see’s fit.

Recent weeks have seen Raheem drop down into the U21s again, to get some game time and continue to improve, which is a goo move by all parties. At first it seemed that Sterling wasn’t giving his all since the drop down, perhaps thinking he doesn’t need to try as hard now he has his new contract, but he showed that’s not the case with a fantastic performance against West Ham in a 3-3 draw at Kirkby.

Sterling was getting shots away, and going round West Ham defenders like they weren’t there. All rounded off with an inch-perfect strike from outside the box into the top corner of the net. No keeper was saving that.

Sterling is undoubtedly one of the biggest talents in England at the minute, but he needs nurturing by Rodgers and the other staff in order to bring the best out of him.

**Suso**

Raw talent: ‘The next David Silva’. There’s always a buzz about a new Spanish starlet, and Suso is no exception.

After signing from his hometown club Cadiz in 2010 under Rafael Benitez, Suso had a few years to wait before making an impression on the first team. But during those few years, he has progressed massively. As expected, he has had countless comparisons made of him to other Spanish icons, most of all David Silva of Manchester City, as both possess similar playing styles and skill with the ball.

Suso hasn’t played quite as much as Sterling in the Premier League with just 8 starts, but during his time on the pitch he has had Liverpool supporters drooling at the mouth with glimpses of magic, but that is too often surrounded with periods of absence in the game. At the age of 19 this is understandable of course, but you have to take your chances in the first team when you get them.

I think Suso will be our attacking midfielder for the next 10 years if we play our cards right. But I think one of those cards has ‘loan’ written on it. Suso needs playing time at the top level, but regular playing time. Perhaps at a club like Wigan, where he was rumoured to be going this season.

Suso played a pivotal part in the U21 game against West Ham, bagging two wonderful goals, one with his right foot, the other with his left. He showed exactly what he can do in front of the watching Brendan Rodgers and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back in the first team after a few consistent high level performances.

**Jonjo Shelvey**

Passion and dynamism: ‘the new Steven Gerrard’. Jonjo Shelvey has took that somewhat burdensome comparison off the shoulders of Conor Coady in the last two seasons.

Shelvey is much closer to regular first team football than Suso and Sterling, and is showing real fight in his performances. But is there such thing as too much fight?

Jonjo is an old-fashioned footballer, something we’ve missed coming through the ranks since Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. Not so many fancy flicks and tricks, but he does the job, and very well at times. Shelvey shows a real desire to win a ball and a hunger to succeed, which some of the players could be accused of lacking of this season.

Again, like the other two, these are just issues that should be ironed out with experience, but Shelvey is the most complete footballer I’ve seen break into the first team in recent years. I believe he can be the eventual replacement to Steven Gerrard, that dynamo in the midfield, wearing the red shirt with passion. Albeit he may not be a Scouser, he puts his all into every challenge and tries to win every ball. He just needs to channel his passion into skill and drive, much like Gerrard did.

He has recently requested some time in the U21s to get some games under his belt, and has shown his seniority in his performances, controlling the midfield, spraying passes around, and breaking up play from the get go.

Will we see another Steven Gerrard? I don’t think so. Is Jonjo Shelvey the closest we will get? Yes, probably.

So, like in many jobs, experience is key in football. With experience, and the right treatment, I believe we have three of the best future prospects in the Premier League, and they could dominate for ten years or more.

Let’s not forget, these are only three players, there are so many other starlets in the academy, who in a few years, could be in the position of these three today. It’s exciting times for Liverpool Football Club as a whole under Rodgers, and the future is well and truly bright.