Jurgen Klopp calls up 18-year-old tipped to be the next Coutinho to Liverpool training pre-Spurs

 


Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been putting his players through their paces ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Tottenham.

The Reds host Spurs at Anfield in a 7:45pm kickoff in which the stakes are extremely high for both sides.

Liverpool remain well in contention for the Premier League title, with Manchester City just one point in front.

Meanwhile, Antonio Conte’s Spurs are in a tight race of their own, for a place in the top four.

Although Liverpool’s entire senior squad is strong in every department, Klopp won’t hesitate to give youngsters a chance.

The Reds boss called up two academy players to train with the seniors in their latest session at Kirkby.

Luke Chambers was one, and Oakley Cannonier was the other.

Cannonier has enjoyed an absolutely sensational season at Under-18 level, breaking the 40-goal barrier 

The 18-year-old can be seen towards the end of the above video standing next to Jordan Henderson ahead of a drill.

Cannonier was once best known as the ball boy who ‘assisted’ Trent Alexander-Arnold for his legendary quick corner against Barcelona in the 2018-19 Champions League.

But now, the teenager is making a name for himself as a footballer, and has all the makings of a top player.

The Athletic claimed last summer that Liverpool coaches have compared Cannonier to Philippe Coutinho.

This is due to his ‘slight frame, low centre of gravity, nifty feet and deadly finish’.

Cannonier is certainly a player to watch in the coming years.

Next season, he’ll surely earn promotion to the Under-23s, where it is hoped he’ll be prolific as he has been for the U18s.

If that were the case, then a loan move surely beckons. And then perhaps, in a few years down the line, a first-team breakthrough.