Bobby Duncan could be knocking on Jurgen Klopp's door next season (Pic: GETTY)
LIVERPOOL beat Manchester City on penalties to win the FA Youth Cup for the first time since 2007.
26 Apr 2019
Starsport was at City’s Academy Stadium on Thursday night to look at three of the Reds’ brightest young stars who could one day be pushing for a place in Jurgen Klopp’s first-team at Anfield.
From Steven Gerrard’s cousin to his strike partner of German heritage and a young defender learning from Virgil van Dijk, the Reds have some potential stars on their hands.
And they helped Liverpool to a 5-3 win on penalties after a 1-1 draw to claim their fourth success in the FA Youth Cup.
BOBBY DUNCAN
The cousin of Steven Gerrard, Duncan grew up wanting to emulate his relative.
He would watch DVDs of his cousin scoring goals and bossing midfield for the Reds.
Duncan was born in Whiston and raised in Huyton like his cousin and also attended the same school, Cardinal Heenan.
But, unlike Gerrard, Duncan is a striker.
However, he did not start his career with the Merseysiders.
He was at Wigan first before joining Manchester City aged 10.
The Liverpool native scored a whopping 66 goals for City in the 2015-16 season
After growing frustrated at City and feeling his path to the first-team would be blocked, he left the Manchester club after turning down a contract.
That left him out in the wilderness for a year before he joined the Reds at the start of this season when they agreed compensation with their Premier League rivals.
And what a debut campaign it has been for him.
He topped it off with his 32nd goal of the season here against City to force extra-time in the FA Youth Cup final against his former side.
It was a mistake by City keeper Louie Moulden, who let the long-range strike through his grasp, but Duncan took the chance from 25 yards when the Reds were running out of ideas.
Duncan doesn’t lack character, either. He celebrated his goal by cupping his ear to the fans at City’s Academy Stadium.
A powerful striker with an eye for goal, he is one for the future at 17.
Bobby Duncan is Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard's cousin (Pic: GETTY)
Paul Glatzel has scored 28 goals so far this season (Pic: GETTY)
PAUL GLATZEL
The second part of Liverpool’s prolific strike force, Glatzel has netted 28 goals this season for the Under-18s, Under-19s and Under-23s.
But it was his final spot kick in the penalty shootout that secured the fourth FA Youth Cup success for the Reds.
Glatzel had a quiet night otherwise but he is certainly a bright spark that could breakthrough in the future.
The Under-18s skipper was born in Liverpoolto German parents and has represented England at schoolboy level as well as Germany Under-18s.
He overcame a broken leg last year and put fears about his career behind him.
The left footer, who has been at the club since he was nine, is a fine finisher but can also create as he has the ability to play off the main striker.
He signed his first professional contract earlier this season and has trained with Jurgen Klopp’s team at Melwood so the Reds are hopeful he can become a first-team player in the future.
Rhys Williams is a central defender in the mould of Virgil van Dijk (Pic: GETTY)
RHYS WILLIAMS
Liverpool currently have arguably the best centre-back in the world in Virgil van Dijk.
And their under-18s star Williams is learning from the very best.
The club’s academy staff have put together DVDs of the Dutchman’s highlights for Williams to study.
And he showed here he is picking up some of his traits as he put in a commanding display to help the Reds to victory over City.
Williams had his hands full with Nabil Touaizi impressing for City, too.
But under pressure, the Reds managed to keep City to just one goal in the final.
The Preston-born defender has been at the club since he was nine.
He started out at the other end of the pitch before being pushed back into defence where he has now played for the Under-18s, Under-19s and Under-23s.
Williams signed his first professional contract in February and made his debut for England Under-18s in what has been a memorable season.
Comments
Post a Comment