With two young players making their Liverpool debuts and one making his first start, Jurgen Klopp has named the following players for first-team ‘opportunities’:Luke Chambers started and Calum Scanlon and James McConnell both scored in the 5-1 win over Toulouse in midweek.
It was a great night for Klopp, who managed to introduce new players to the squad and also made eight changes to the starting line-up.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, the manager explained that he would have felt much younger had Ben Doak and Bobby Clarke not been injured.In Clark, Liverpool have signed their next teenager for big team opportunities, starting with last season’s League Cup tie against Derby.
“I don’t know how much it had to do with the result, we thought the guys had to have that feeling,” he explained of his team selection.“It’s one thing when I tell them how much I like them and what I see in them. We have to show up sometimes. “It’s not easy, but in good times you can give guys a chance.
I did it tonight and they got it all. “Some are not even accessible. With Bobby Clarke back from injury, Ben Doak is sure to get game time tonight. “We have a lot of good people and we really trust and rely on them.”Injuries have sidelined the U21s in recent weeks, but there is still plenty of time as they have completed three group stage games and the Reds are likely to progress to the last 16 in their next game.
It took time for Klopp and Liverpool’s wider staff to build such a strong academy, but the manager praised him in his post-match press conference. “We have 100 percent confidence in [Chambers] and believe in him. “I wanted to show that tonight,” Klopp said. “So the next person is knocking on Calum’s door.
Everyone saw it. He was a very interesting player. “He got too excited a few times but he was a real talent and a real footballer.”James had an amazing practice session for us. We gave him a new position and put him in sixth and he did really well here.
“He’s very smart and he deserves it.“If Ben Doak had been available tonight, he would have gotten the same minutes as Bobby Clarke. “We can’t forget running back Jarrell Kwanza.“So a lot of good people come and say, not every once in a while, but sometimes you’ve got to show up when you can.
