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While Jordan Henderson’s brief appearance last night brought a wave of nostalgia for Liverpool fans, the spotlight was firmly on Curtis Jones as he started in midfield for Thomas Tuchel’s England squad. It was a routine 2-0 victory for England over Albania, with debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly opening the scoring and Harry Kane extending his record as England’s all-time top scorer with his 70th goal on his 104th cap.
Jones, who made his England debut in the autumn against Greece and scored in that match, has become a steady presence in the national team. In last night’s game, he played 74 minutes, recording 105 touches, 94 accurate passes (95% success rate), and one key pass, showcasing his growing influence in the squad.
The rise of Liverpool’s academy graduate has been remarkable. Alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jones has established himself as a star for both club and country, though not every youth prospect manages to reach such heights. Trent, widely regarded as the best talent to emerge from Liverpool’s academy since Steven Gerrard, has set a high standard for future generations.
Liverpool’s academy development has made significant strides in recent years, particularly under Jurgen Klopp. While genuine talents were scarce before his arrival, Klopp’s tenure saw a surge in youth prospects. Players like Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah became regulars last season, joining established stars such as Alexander-Arnold and Jones. The academy’s success was highlighted when “Klopp’s Kids” played a key role in winning the 2023/24 Carabao Cup. The likes of Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha now lead the next wave of talent, showcasing the club’s healthy youth ranks.
However, not every promising youngster fulfills their potential. One such example is Ovie Ejaria, who emerged before Alexander-Arnold but has since struggled to make an impact. Once a standout in Liverpool’s academy, Ejaria made eight appearances for the first team during the 2016/17 season and was praised by then-academy coach Michael Beale for his technical ability and maturity. While Alexander-Arnold went on to become one of the world’s best right-backs, Ejaria’s career took a different path.
After leaving Liverpool, Ejaria joined Reading, where he made 127 appearances and contributed 22 goal involvements. However, his career has since stalled. Following his departure from Reading in 2023, he went on trial with Egyptian club Zamalek in October 2024, but nothing came of it. Now 27 and clubless, Ejaria’s story serves as a reminder of how challenging it can be for young talents to sustain their careers.
Liverpool’s ability to secure £3m for Ejaria when he left for Reading looks like shrewd business in hindsight. His decline highlights the unpredictable nature of football development, especially when compared to the success stories of Alexander-Arnold and Jones.
For a player once held in such high regard, Ejaria’s fall from grace is a stark contrast to the flourishing careers of his former teammates. It’s a reminder of how far Liverpool’s academy has come and the challenges faced by young players in making the leap to sustained success at the highest level.
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