02 March 2024 , 20:30
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Lee Clark has revealed the Jurgen Klopp spying missions which have produced a conveyor belt of Kop kids including son Bobby.
Clark, part of Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle United ‘Entertainers’ of the nineties, is now a proud parent living the dream of midfielder Bobby who is proving that age is no barrier in the pursuit of trophies.
The 19-year-old came on as a substitute in the Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea and played a major part in the midweek FA Cup humbling of Southampton alongside other youngsters including Conor Bradley, James McConnell, Jayden Danns and Lewis Koumas.
Six of the Liverpool side that started at Anfield on Wednesday night were 21 or under with Clark senior stating: “Liverpool have created this pathway over many years. And the crux of it all is they have a manager, Jurgen Klopp, who is prepared to play the young boys in pressure games.
“Let’s not forget he’s at a club which is expected to win trophies. The demands on a Liverpool manager means you have got to be challenging for silverware. Despite all that expectation he is not frightened to put the kids in. He believes in them and backs them.
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“Someone was telling me that they thought since Jurgen has been manager around 46, 47 academy boys have been given debuts in the first team. That is incredible.”
Nothing is left to chance with Klopp keeping a watchful eye on who is ready to make the step up towards first team consideration.
Bobby Clark, son of ex-Newcastle star Lee, is highly thought of at Liverpool (Getty Images)Clark added: “Liverpool also have this talent group in between the Under 21s and the first team. This was set up by Pep Lijnders (assistant manager) and Vitor Matos (elite development coach).
“What they basically do is get this talent group training in the afternoon and Jurgen will come out of his office and watch from the balcony or sometimes go on the touchline viewing the next batch of young talent and decide if they are ready.
“It’s become so successful there’s been a conveyer belt of talent. Here is where they are identified as having the talent to get into the first team. Jurgen is well aware of them before you see them on the big stage.”
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