{"id":262462,"date":"2026-09-13T19:15:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T19:15:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/13\/hughes-masterclass-liverpool-have-signed-its-best-young-talent-since-trent\/"},"modified":"2026-09-13T19:15:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T19:15:11","slug":"hughes-masterclass-liverpool-have-signed-its-best-young-talent-since-trent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/13\/hughes-masterclass-liverpool-have-signed-its-best-young-talent-since-trent\/","title":{"rendered":"Hughes masterclass: Liverpool have signed its best young talent since Trent"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As part of Liverpool<\/a>\u2019s success in the Premier League<\/a> and across Europe, the club\u2019s academy setup has played a vital role throughout the last couple of decades.<\/p>\n

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Steven Gerrard is arguably the most high-profile name to emerge from Melwood, with right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold<\/a> another player who made himself a key senior squad member.<\/p>\n

The 27-year-old racked up a staggering 354 appearances for his boyhood club, subsequently registering 86 assists during such a period – often having a bigger impact within attacking areas.<\/p>\n

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He arguably made the advanced right-back role what it is today, but there\u2019s no denying that whilst his departure upset supporters, they must wish the Reds still possessed a player of his calibre.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Why Liverpool have failed to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

Replacing a player of Trent\u2019s calibre was always going to be a tricky task for Liverpool\u2019s recruitment team, but a year on it appears as though the ask was bigger than expected.<\/p>\n

His subsequent departure was seen as the perfect opportunity for Conor Bradley to become the club\u2019s first choice in that department, but it\u2019s safe to say it\u2019s not worked out for the Northern Ireland star.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Conor-Bradley-1\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

He only made 15 league appearances last campaign, and has failed to feature in a single game since January after suffering a serious knee injury against Arsenal.<\/p>\n

The Reds also spent big in the transfer market to soften the blow of Trent\u2019s departure, subsequently spending \u00a334m on the signature of Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen.<\/p>\n

The Dutch international was seen as a superb attacking replacement, but like Bradley, he\u2019s been unable to deliver the goods over recent times at Anfield.<\/p>\n

A lack of form and frequent injury issues have plagued the 25-year-old, but Andoni Iraola<\/a> has already seemingly decided that he will be second choice on Merseyside.<\/p>\n

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Jeremie Frimpong – injury record at Liverpool<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

Injury<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Days missed<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Games missed<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Hamstring<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

13<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Hamstring<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

21<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Hamstring<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

54<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

14<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Hamstring<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

29<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Muscle injury<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

10<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

He\u2019s been dribbled past 1.6 times per 90 in the Premier League so far this campaign, a figure which has seen only 9% of defenders being taken on more to date.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n How Liverpool have found their biggest talent since Trent<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

Trent\u2019s departure from Liverpool has also opened the door for another heap of talented young prospects to capture the hearts of the fanbase on Merseyside.<\/p>\n

Rio Ngumoha is the latest star to emerge from the club\u2019s infamous academy setup, subsequently making 34 senior appearances despite being just 18 years of age.<\/p>\n