Thursday 23 March 2017 12:17, UK
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has urged the club's youngsters to seize their chance to impress him on their Tenerife training camp this week.
On a similar trip to the Canary Islands a year ago under-23 midfielder Ovie Ejaria caught the German's eye and was rewarded with promotion to the first-team as well as a senior debut during the club's 1-0 win at Tranmere earlier this season.
Injury has restricted Ejaria to eight appearances, but Klopp believes he should be a role model for the next generation of hopefuls, who were invited on the trip to join all the senior players not on international duty.
"I told the boys before the session (on Tuesday) that last year Ovie Ejaria came onto my plate, if you want," Klopp said. "I saw him here first.
"I knew him, I saw him playing a few times, but here having him around for four days and seeing him in small spaces in the sessions against the 'adults' if you want was very important for him and for me.
Prospects Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Woodburn have also featured under Klopp this season, predominately in the EFL Cup, while fellow youngsters Sheyi Ojo and Cameron Brannagan have impressed for the club's development squad
"It's an opportunity," Klopp added. "You can see in their eyes they know it; they are really ambitious when they think about the sessions and we will try to do everything we can to give them the opportunity to impress.
"There's no doubt about the attitude, there's no doubt about quality - it's only a question of are they already ready or not?
"If not, then they still have time. If yes, then let's make the next step."
The Reds face neighbours Everton at Anfield on April 1, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 11.30am.
Sky customers can now upgrade to Sky Sports and get 12 months for just £18 per month. Upgrade now!
