Jurgen Klopp’s tenure at Liverpool is well-known for nurturing academy talents into first-team players. The Reds' youth system has consistently produced stars like Steve McManaman, Steven Gerrard, and Jamie Carragher. Klopp continued this legacy, giving many academy graduates their first team opportunities.
Today, under Arne Slot, several academy products have established themselves as key figures in the first team. Klopp's commitment to youth development saw over 40 players debut for the Reds, including the famous "Klopp's Kids" squad that won the Carabao Cup.
The most recognized academy product in the current squad is Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has delivered impressive performances for his boyhood club, playing 320 matches, scoring 19 goals, and providing 83 assists. Curtis Jones is another standout, making 140 appearances with 17 goals and 15 assists, emerging as a pivotal player this season. Conor Bradley has also become a significant contributor, featuring regularly under Klopp and Slot.
Despite their growing importance, Jones and Bradley's wages have remained surprisingly low, with Jones earning £15k-per-week and Bradley even less at £10k-per-week. Meanwhile, Wataru Endo, who has struggled for game time this season, earns double that combined amount.
Endo, brought in for £16.2m from Stuttgart, was initially a cost-effective option to bolster the midfield. However, with the rise of Ryan Gravenberch, Endo has only made four appearances this season, totaling just 85 minutes. Though present on the bench, he does not appear to feature in Slot's long-term plans.
Earning £50k-per-week, Endo’s wages significantly outstrip those of Jones and Bradley, despite his limited role. If he remains at Anfield until the end of the season, his overall cost to the club will reach £21.4m, including his transfer fee and wages.
Given Endo’s limited future prospects at Liverpool and the emergence of younger talents, it may be wise for the club to redirect their resources. Rewarding academy graduates like Jones and Bradley with improved contracts would be a better investment in Liverpool’s future.