Liverpool and the class of academy aces.
When a very young Steven Gerrard was kicking a ball around on some scrubland near his Huyton home he pranged his big toe on a discarded fork. He was rushed to hospital and a surgeon was about to amputate when Steve Heighway, Liverpool’s academy director, raced in and persuaded them to try to save the tyro’s toe. They did, the toe was gradually rebuilt and a famous career was launched.
A few years later, as Gerrard lit up English and European football, Heighway had a special photograph by his office at the academy. It was of a teenaged Gerrard alongside another emerging talent Michael Owen. I’d look at the picture on the occasions I’d visit Heighway and the fierce determination in their eyes stood out. Also remarkable was that Gerrard and Owen were the same height at the time. The picture was a reminder of how young players can grow at different ages. Owen accelerated at a young age into the Liverpool first team. Gerrard’s settling-in process was eye-catching but slowed by growing problems, particularly causing issues with his back.
But the main impact of the photograph for those heading into Heighway’s office was the quality of players nurtured at the academy. Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Jamie Carragher had stepped up before the Owen-Gerrard generation. Going further back there was Heighway himself, Phil Thompson, Ian Callaghan, Tommy Smith and Billy Liddell. Throw in the keeper Tommy Lawrence (via Warrington Town) and Liverpool would have a pretty invincible home-grown XI.
So when Jurgen Klopp became manager in 2015 it was no surprise to see him pictured on the balcony overlooking one of the academy pitches, watching the latest generation with Alex Inglethorpe, Liverpool’s newish academy director. The club circulated footage of the pair and the message was clear: the new man will continue old traditions and give youth a chance if good enough. Trent Alexander-Arnold soon stepped up to the seniors. Conor Bradley, Curtis Jones and Caoimhin Kelleher all followed Alexander-Arnold under Klopp and are now flourishing under Arne Slot. All three academy products excelled against Real Madrid.