Player tipped for the top could be Liverpool’s next emerging talent

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Just two weeks before Liverpool’s victory in the Champions League Final against Tottenham, Alex Inglethorpe told Goal that young starlet Layton Stewart would reach for the stars.

Fast forward nearly a year in time and the man picked for big things by Liverpool’s academy manager is well on the way towards first-team stardom.

Inglethorpe always knew his quality though and waxed lyrical about the teenager last summer.

He told Goal: “You want me to give you a name? Surprise surprise!

“OK, a name, Layton Stewart. Look out for him; he can be anything he wants to be.”

The 17-year-old is already catching the eye of boss Jurgen Klopp after scoring 16 goals during his first season with the under-18 ranks.

He was called up to train with the first-team in December ahead of the Carabao Cup game overseen by Neil Critchley.

Stewart was an unused substitute in the 5-0 defeat but his form for the academy ranks will be him in good shape.

Just a week before that contest, Critchley handed him his debut for the under-23s. He played 45 minutes of a 1-1 draw against Chelsea and although he didn’t score he looked lively.

Klopp has shown willing to utilise the club’s youngsters this season, particularly in the cup competitions.

Progression

It’s hard to imagine that changing next season and his goal tally for the under-18s won’t have escaped Klopp’s thoughts.

If Stewart can continue his red-hot scoring form the path towards the first-team will become clearer.

Klopp hasn’t been afraid to utilise the academy and with several departures expected in the summer, his squad might be smaller next season.

The 17-year-old is clearly highly-rated by Inglethorpe and there’s no reason why he can’t be the next gem to emerge from the conveyor belt of talent at Liverpool.