Revealed: Why Liverpool have adopted new aggressive youth recruitment policy
The Reds are close to confirming the signings of three teenagers and are looking to add more across the summer window.
For Liverpool fans, the end of a disappointing season means all focus has immediately turned to a summer window they hope can transform the fortunes of Arne Slot’s first team.
But those behind the scenes at Anfield have to take a longer-term view of the pursuit of success, as recent activity has proved.
To that end, the Reds are closing in on a deal for Colombia U17 international Samuel Martinez, who will be able to officially join when he turns 18 in April of next year.
It is privately acknowledged that Liverpool have been weaker than many of their Premier League rivals in the South American youth market in recent years, a fact partly attributed to others’ involvement in multi-club operations.
But, even with plans to create such a setup having been shelved by Fenway Sports Group, the hope is to be more aggressive in recruiting from that part of the world going forward.
They are also keen to be equally front-footed closer to home, and are soon set to bolster their U18 ranks with the signing of long-term target Dara Jikiemi, whose contract at Celtic expires this summer.
Teenage striker Michael Mulholland, who once scored 256 goals in a single season of youth football, will also arrive from Northern Irish club Crusaders.
Meanwhile, Hertha Berlin midfielder Kennet Eichhorn may be added to the list at a later date, with the Reds among several clubs trying to strike a deal that would be activated when he turns 18.
Insiders explain that this shift in recruitment policy owes much to a change in Liverpool’s standing since FSG arrived as owners back in October 2010.
Early in their tenure, all available cash was being pointed at a first team that needed to be restored as a genuine force in European football in order to end its wait for Premier League and Champions League titles.
Now, the Reds have reestablished themselves at the top table, contributing to soaring revenues that can be ploughed into other areas - including capturing the biggest talents in world football.
As previously detailed here, that process is being overseen by the club’s director of global talent Matt Newberry.
He is also understood to be aided in some aspects by FSG’s director of football development, Pedro Marques, who previously played a key role in turning Benfica into a renowned developer of young footballers.
