How Liverpool raided rivals - including a Chelsea star loved by John Terry - to build an academy dream team for the future
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There is a framed picture on the walls of Liverpool's training base in Kirkby which hangs purposefully in the areas frequented by academy stars. Taken just before the turn of the millennium, the photograph acts as the ultimate inspiration for the stars of tomorrow.
![[The injury-plagued side that beat Chelsea featured youngsters like Lewis Koumas (left), Jayden Danns (centre) and Try Nyoni (right) with a combined age of just 52 at the time]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/24/11/93454411-0-image-a-1_1735040363120.jpg)
Squinting down the camera in the snap were seven homegrown players: Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, David Thompson, Dominic Matteo, Jamie Carragher and, then a fresh-faced teenager, Steven Gerrard. Earlier this year, Liverpool's media team sensed an opportunity to recreate a similar image with new protagonists. After the Reds won the Carabao Cup with a youthful team at Wembley, 11 of the latest academy success stories posed with the final trophy of the Jurgen Klopp era.
![[Stefan Bajcetic was signed just a matter of hours before the strict Brexit rules became law]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/12/00/89564585-13838821-image-a-24_1726096487012.jpg)
Trent Alexander-Arnold in a knee-brace – he did not play that day – is the best known, but also present were Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley, Jayden Danns, Stefan Bajcetic and Trey Nyoni to name just five. Who knows how iconic that image may one day be.
![[Rio Ngumoha, 16, turned down a better financial package at Chelsea to move to Anfield]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/12/01/89563995-13838821-Rio_Ngumoha_16_turned_down_a_better_financial_package_at_Chelsea-a-3_1726099271293.jpg)
Mail Sport dubbed them the 'Kindergarten Kop' while others called them 'Klopp's Kids'. It might not have carried the global significance of Klopp winning a sixth European Cup crown or a first Premier League title, but that trophy meant just as much to many inside the club.
![[Nyoni, 17, excelled during pre-season and could soon make an impact for the first-team]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/12/00/89564001-13838821-image-m-26_1726096504052.jpg)
