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Liverpool flops join Ibrahima Konate and Erling Haaland on list of 50 best youngsters from 2019

Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate is thriving at the heart of the Reds' backline under new boss Arne Slot
-Credit: (Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)


Liverpool has some exciting talents at his disposal right now with Arne Slot not afraid to put his trust in younger members of his squad. Curtis Jones has established himself as a regular this term, while Harvey Elliott would have also featured more had it not been for injuries.

Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah can expect to be more involved when the busy fixture schedule becomes even more hectic over the festive period and Liverpool's youngsters proved last season that they are ready when called upon.

Back in 2019, UEFA predicted a couple of familiar faces would have bright futures as a list of the 50 most promising players on the continent was released.

Among them was Ibrahima Konate, who has been excellent under Slot this season. The Frenchman was at RB Leipzig when the list was released and soon established himself in the French national side.

He completed a $45m move to Anfield in the summer of 2021 and after a bright start, lost his place under Jurgen Klopp last term. But he has looked back to his imperious best so far this term with the Reds having an excellent defensive record.

But it is the presence of two more players on the list that will raise eyebrows at Anfield, with the duo failing to make the grade during their Liverpool careers. Rhian Brewster had helped England win the Uner-17 World Cup in 2017 and was tipped for big things in a red shirt,

He was on the bench in the Champions League final in 2019 and then made his debut in an EFL Cup match a matter of months later. A loan move at Swansea followed before Brewster permanently joined Sheffield United in a staggering $30m deal.

Injuries have hampered his progress but the striker, now 24 has scored just five times for the Blades in four years. His last goal for the club was now over two years ago.

The other name on the list familiar to Liverpool supporters is defender Ozan Kabak. He arrived on loan from Schalke in 2021 during an injury crisis and featured 13 times for the club. A loan move at Norwich followed with the defender now back in Germany with Hoffenheim.

While UEFA did get some of its calls wrong, there are some players who have duly delivered on their potential. Erling Haaland is arguably the biggest name to feature, while the list also includes Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Dani Olmo, Rodrygo and Arsenal defender William Saliba.