Liverpool icon John Barnes has had some heavy praise for some of the Reds’ top young stars – namely Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley and Stefan Bajcetic.

Many Liverpool supporters have expressed concern for the future, with head coach Jurgen Klopp set to leave Anfield at the end of the 2023/24 Premier League season – nevertheless, Barnes insists that the ‘future looks very bright’.

He also praised Klopp for managing these young players effectively, stressing that teenage talents can ‘struggle with consistency and pressure’ in the modern game. However, Klopp has kept their feet on the ground.

Both Quansah and Bradley have had excellent breakout campaigns for Liverpool this season after breaking into the first team. Bajcetic’s breakout season came last year – he has spent much of the 2023/24 campaign on the sidelines with an injury.

How does John Barnes think Liverpool will cope after the departure of Jurgen Klopp?

Speaking to Genting Casino, Barnes said: “We expect things to happen for Liverpool because of what Klopp has done in the past, but the future looks very bright for Liverpool. I think Jarell Quansah could establish himself in this team over the next few years. He’s impressed me.

“You don’t want to build up young players too much. They are part of a system, a process moving forward with experienced players with them, but Conor Bradley and Quansah have shown what they can do under difficult circumstances this season.

“It’s a shame about the young boy Stefan Bajčetić, he was earmarked for Fabinho’s role, and he looked very good when we saw glimpses of him last season. I don’t think we should get too carried away, there always has to be an element of caution with young players and we don’t want to expose them to too many games too quickly – sometimes young players can struggle with consistency and pressure.”