'Why LFC's Academy players should be inspired by Trent and Ben'
Kevin Stewart feels the progress made by Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben Woodburn should serve as an inspiration to all of Liverpool’s Academy prospects.
Along with Stewart, Alexander-Arnold, 18, and Woodburn, 17, committed their futures to the club by signing new long-term contracts last week.
The teenagers have been two of the standout players for Michael Beale’s U23s this season, and both have been rewarded with involvement in the Reds’ first-team set-up in recent months.
Alexander-Arnold made his senior competitive debut in Liverpool’s EFL Cup win over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield last month, while Woodburn impressed for Jürgen Klopp’s side during pre-season, scoring in friendlies against Fleetwood Town and Wigan Athletic.
Both will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Stewart, who has established himself as a regular member of Klopp’s squad following his move from Spurs in 2014.
And the 23-year-old midfielder believes the development of his young teammates sends a positive message to those Kirkby scholars hopeful of graduating to Melwood.
“It should really give [other young players] belief as well and drive them to know that the people they train with every day at the Academy can go on to achieve something like that,” Stewart told Liverpoolfc.com.
“It’s not something they should feel they can’t do and it should give [confidence to] everyone at the Academy from the U23s downward.
“It’s not like there’s a lack of opportunity. During international breaks a lot of them come up from a really young age so it’s not that they should feel like they won’t be seen.”
LFCTV GO: Watch Stewart discuss Alexander-Arnold, Woodburn and more
Alexander-Arnold looked comfortable in making the step up to first-team football during his debut against Tottenham having trained regularly at Melwood this season - and Stewart likes what he has seen from the West Derby-born youngster.
“It’s only this season where I’ve really seen him day in, day out but he’s really mature for his age,” he added.
“He’s a really hard worker and if he keeps that up and stays how he is then he’s got a really bright future.”
Stewart went on to praise Woodburn, agreeing that the Welsh forward is an exciting talent before offering him some words of advice.
“He really is [exciting] - you could see [that] from pre-season,” he continued.
“I saw glimpses of him when he was a bit younger but this pre-season I was playing with him and I saw him more regularly. It’s the same thing - just keep your head down and keep working and he’ll be a really good player I think.”
Another young talent tipped to have a bright future at Anfield is Joe Gomez, who pulled on the red shirt for the first time in over a year in playing 45 minutes of a behind-closed-doors friendly at Melwood last Sunday.
Gomez is on the road to recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained in October 2015, and Stewart revealed just how hard the 19-year-old has worked to get back on the pitch.
“Everyone saw him in the gym constantly - he must have been so sick of that gym, every day he was in there,” he said.
“It’s really good for everyone to see him back out there and he looks so happy. It’s really positive, we’re really happy for him.
“It must just feel like he’s got his life back. He spent so long out and from the gym you can see out onto the training pitch and everyone training so he must have been watching. He must feel free again.”