LFC Academy

LFC Academy: Five To Watch

Yasser Larouci

Signed from Le Havre AC in 2007, Larouci was a winger when he first arrived at The Academy but now plays at left-back after being switched to the position by Barry Lewtas.

It proved to be a shrewd move with the Algerian, who also qualifies to play internationally for France, turning in some eye-catching displays as part of Liverpool FC U18s FA Youth Cup winning side. Larouci made 29 appearances at U18s level last season and also played six times for the U23s, scoring in a 3-1 International Cup victory against Hertha BSC II.

Born on New Year's Day 2001, Jürgen Klopp has taken a closer look at the 18-year-old during Pre-Season, handing Larouci his taste of First-Team football in the 6-0 victory against Tranmere Rovers FC at Prenton Park and taking him on the tour of the USA.

George Johnston

George Johnston made his Anfield debut last summer when he came on as a late substitute in the Pre-Season win against Torino FC and was in Jürgen Klopp's 2019/20 Pre-Season plans from the off, appearing for the whole of the second half against Tranmere Rovers FC.

The Manchester-born central defender, who has been with the Reds since the age of nine and is a Scotland U21 international, captains Liverpool FC U23s and made 30 appearances last season, netting twice.

He was also involved in Liverpool FC's pre-UEFA Champions League final training sessions and while the 21-year-old didn't make his First-Team debut last season he did earn the praise of U23s coach Neil Critchley. “George was brilliant for us all season,” he said.

Fidel O'Rourke

With free-scoring strike duo Paul Glatzel and Bobby Duncan competing alongside him for a place in the Liverpool FC U18s side last season, it was no easy task for Fidel O'Rourke to make an impact.

However, the Liverpool-born striker not only forced his way into the reckoning but was handed the captain's armband by manager Barry Lewtas for some games including a 7-2 victory against Blackburn Rovers FC U18s, in which he netted twice.

O'Rourke, who comes from the Wavertree district of Liverpool, has been at the LFC Academy since U14 level after being spotted playing locally. The 17-year-old netted seven times in 24 appearances – 12 of them as substitute – for the U18s last season and was an unused sub in the FA Youth Cup final success against Manchester City FC U18s. He is yet to make his U23s debut.

Matteo Ritaccio

A New York-born midfielder who holds an Italian passport, 2018/19 was Ritaccio's first full season as a Liverpool FC U18s player following his arrival from BW Gottschee Soccer. The 17-year-old made 24 appearances in total – two of them for Liverpool FC U23s – but is still looking for his first goal in a red shirt.

Ritaccio is a tough-tackling midfielder and while he admits it has taken him time to adjust to playing for the Reds and living in the UK, he feels there is more to come from him in 2019/20.

“The speed of play is much more advanced and quicker here,” he told liverpoolfc.com. “That took a good couple of months to get adapted to. I've had to adapt from the style I used to play in America to how it is here. There's still more to adapt to, but I think I've been coping pretty well.”

Abdi Sharif

Born in Somali, Sharif emigrated to Liverpool with his family when he was three and grew up playing football with his nine older brothers. By the time he was nine he was with the Liverpool FC Academy and last season the versatile central midfielder, who has also played in defensive roles and as a striker, was an FA Youth Cup winner.

Sharif successfully converted Liverpool FC U18s' third penalty in the 5-3 shoot-out victory that settled the FA Youth Cup final against Manchester City FC U18s. He made 22 appearances in total at that level in 2018/19, netting twice.

The 18-year-old also made seven appearances at U23s level, after making his debut in January 2019, and has his sights set on eventually progressing to the First-Team. “As a kid, a local kid, growing up here, I think the best thing would be to play for Liverpool’s first team,” he said. “There’d be no better thing than that.”