As Liverpool prepare to wave farewell to Jürgen Klopp and thank him for everything he has accomplished at one of the most prestigious institutions in world football, many are taking time to reflect on his impact and legacy at Anfield.
For the most part, Klopp upgraded Liverpool by making shrewd signings on the transfer market – such as the vaunted trio of Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah – and changing the mentality around the club both tactically and, in a matter of speaking, spiritually.
He also helped develop young talents into the stars they are today, including a trio of players who have been, are currently, and, most importantly, will be important to Liverpool’s success.
Here are the three best Liverpool academy players Jürgen Klopp helped develop.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, RB
How Trent Alexander-Arnold started at Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold got his start at Liverpool at the age of six when he was scouted by the club and rose through the ranks, eventually captaining the team.
At a young age, Alexander-Arnold stood out so much that one of Liverpool’s greatest icons, Steven Gerrard, specifically tabbed a young “TAA” for future greatness.
He would convert to the right back position while in the academy and the rest was history. Alexander-Arnold made his full first-team debut in 2016 under Jürgen Klopp and would start in a Champions League Final just a couple of years later, going toe-to-toe with one of the GOATs, Cristiano Ronaldo.
How Trent Alexander-Arnold progressed under Jürgen Klopp
TAA started 18 matches at the age of 18 in the 2017/18 season under Klopp before featuring in that UCL Final against Real Madrid, and then in the subsequent two seasons, he would nail a combined 25 assists.
The best playmaker at the right back position the world had seen since a peak Dani Alves at Barcelona, Alexander-Arnold’s early balls and timed deliveries, especially on set pieces, made him one of the most lethal weapons in world football.
Barça themselves would learn that the hard way one year after TAA’s Champions League humbling against Madrid and Cristiano, taking a corner unforgettably quickly as the defining moment in an all-time great Anfield comeback. Liverpool would unsurprisingly go on to win the UCL that season.
Alexander-Arnold was also a crucial part of Liverpool’s fairytale 2019/20 Premier League title triumph with a career-high 13 assists. Since that season, he’s notched 12 assists one more time.
Under Klopp, Alexander-Arnold fulfilled his potential as one of the best footballers in England and arguably the best right back in the world, alongside the likes of Real Madrid‘s veteran Dani Carvajal.
How good Trent Alexander-Arnold is right now
Nowadays, Alexander-Arnold is still an elite player for the Reds, coming off a season with nine assists and currently sitting on six in the middle of the 2023/24 season. Liverpool are back on top and contending for the Premier League title, having missed out on the Champions League after their 2022/23 league performance.
Stefan Bajčetić, DM
How Stefan Bajčetić started at Liverpool
Defensive midfielder Stefan Bajčetić is a Spanish youth international who actually got his start in football with Celta Vigo, his local club in the city of Vigo.
However, Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool snapped him up after seven years in Vigo, signing him to their own youth academy in 2020. Just two years later, Bajčetić would make his first-team debut with the Reds and immediately turn heads as a future star.
The heir to countryman Thiago Alcântara in midfield, Bajčetić looks like a deep midfield general to rule the Premier League. Only an injury could hold him back in his debut season at Anfield.
How good Stefan Bajčetić is right now
Since he is just 19 years old and in his second season with the Liverpool first team, it is impossible to actually track Stefan Bajčetić’s progress under Jürgen Klopp as a manager.
However, the future looks bright for the teenage midfielder, given the upside he showed in spurts during the 2022/23 season. The key will be keeping Bajčetić healthy and easing him along his journey at Anfield.
Curtis Jones, CM
How Curtis Jones started at Liverpool
Liverpool signed Curtis Jones at the age of 9 in 2010 and brought him up to their first team in 2018 under Jürgen Klopp, with the legendary German coach quickly making it clear that he valued the English youth international highly.
Klopp would often sing Jones’ praises in the media and give him ample opportunities to get games in the preseason and cups, with Jones’ full first-team debut coming in 2019 in the FA Cup against a quality Premier League side in Wolves.
Jones only started once in Liverpool’s title-winning 2019/20 season, but then he would go on to start 13 matches in the subsequent campaign.
How Curtis Jones progressed under Jürgen Klopp
Curtis Jones has steadily shown progress under Jürgen Klopp, who has always protected the young English midfielder from media scrutiny and criticism.
The talented attacking midfielder has always been given room to grow and find his role within the Liverpool first team, registering at least 10 starts in four consecutive seasons, including 12 already in the middle of the 2023/24 campaign.
How good Curtis Jones is right now
Now at 23 years of age, Jones is ready to have the reigns taken off him a little bit, and Klopp has obliged by making the midfielder more important than ever in a 2023/24 campaign in which Liverpool are competing for the league title once again.
Jones has already matched the career high of three goals he set last season, completing more than 90 percent of his passes in all major competitions, including nearly 95 percent in the Reds’ League Cup triumph.
Showing an ability to rise to the occasion when called upon, Jones is averaging an excellent 1.8 key passes and 2.3 dribbles completed in the Europa League as one of the standout midfielders in the competition.
In a competitive Liverpool midfield, the young Jones is showing that he can be a key part of the rotation and more than a passable starter for one of the best teams in European football. Chalk him up as another great academy success for Klopp and the Reds.
The managing editor of The Trivela Effect, Kevin has 15 years of experience in digital media. He covered Real Madrid from 2019-2022 for The Real Champs as a site manager. You can contact him at the site’s official Twitter handle @TrivelaEffect or via the site’s official email thetrivelaeffect@gmail.com.