Liverpool have a golden chance to sign a special former academy player.
The club's youth set-up is in a really good place right now. There’s a lot of exciting talent coming through, so the future looks very bright.
We’ve already seen Rio Ngumoha make headlines this season with that brilliant winner against Newcastle. He’s widely seen as one of the most exciting prospects at the club, and arguably one of the best young players in England right now.
His one-on-one ability is what really stands out. The way he can take on multiple defenders at once makes him look like a special talent.
Of course, he’s still raw, but that’s completely normal considering he’s only just turned 17 this season.
If he keeps developing the way he is, he’s got everything to become one of the top wingers in the country. And the scary part?
There's a lot more exciting talents coming through. Trey Nyoni is not far behind him, Joshua Abe and Erik Farkas are also at the club, and ready to follow in Ngumoha's path.
Behind them Vincent Joseph, who has been on an exciting goal-scoring spree for England at youth international level is also a name to keep an eye on.
But of course, Liverpool can't keep everyone.
Sometimes talent slips through the cracks. Anthony Gordon is a prime example of that. He started out playing for Liverpool's academy before he was released by the club.
The rest is history, Gordon went to sign for Everton and then earned a big money move to Newcastle United.
Perhaps this year or at some point in the future, Gordon's path could still see him end-up at Anfield but Liverpool will now have to pay big money to get him.
Which is why, they should wait for that long to re-sign another former academy player who they made a big mistake in letting go.
We mentioned Vincent Joseph above, but he wasn't the only Joseph at the club. His older brother, Valentin Joseph was also contracted to Liverpool but moved on from the club's academy at a young age.
Unlike Gordon, Joseph joined Blackburn Rovers, where he has quietly developed an exciting reputation – particularly this season.
A forward, who plays like a typical archetypal no.9, Joseph is spectacular to watch. This season he has scored nine goals in the FA Youth Cup, in just five games.
In total he has scored 22 goals and also has four assists in 31 appearances across Blackburn's academy which is a remarkable return.
What makes Joseph such an effective striker is that he's quick, strong and sublimely technical.
The way he holds up the ball as a striker with his back to goal is impressive. He uses his body really well and regularly turns his opponents with clever movement.
© IMAGO – Valentin Joseph Liverpool
One vs one when he’s facing the opponent’s goal he has really quick feet. He can bamboozle defenders easily with nice turns and deft touches.
He’s a good finisher. Regularly gets into goal-scoring positions. Averages 3.77 shots per 90 for Blackburn at youth level and gets 54% of his shots on target.
And Liverpool need to strike now for the 17-year-old, while they still maintain a golden chance to get him before anyone else does.
Joseph is about to burst onto the scene, Liverpool can make sure this happens at Anfield. Their big trump card is obviously the fact that they can reunite the two brothers again.
It's an option they must explore and one Joseph's family would likely consider.
