Liverpool's Best Young Player Ever

I was listening to the Anfield Wrap podcast this evening and they were chatting about the comparisons between Sterling and Owen, and it got me thinking.

Over our history, or your memory, who was the young Liverpool player that came through the academy or was signed at a young age, that got you excited about their and our future.

They might have blossomed and become greats for us or for other teams.
They may well be still developing.
Or, they never reached the heights of where you thought their careers would go.

To me, young player is under the age of 21.

Some examples being:

Robinson, Kelly, Sterling, Owen, Pacheco, Nemeth, Ince, Coady, Wisdom, Fowler, Gerrard, Callaghan, Redknapp, Rush, Spearing,

To me, as a supporter for 33 years, i have to say that Raheem Sterling is by far the most exciting and prospective top top class player i have ever seen at LFC.

Phil Thompson, Chris Lawler, Tommy Smith, and the list is endless from the 1960s

Phil Thompson, Chris Lawler, Tommy Smith, and the list is endless from the 1960s

Sure is Billy1. It's a very long list.

As you have seen a huge amount of them come through the ranks, would love to know whom of those under the age of 21, were the most promising to you?

Sure is Billy1. It's a very long list.

As you have seen a huge amount of them come through the ranks, would love to know whom of those under the age of 21, were the most promising to you?

Alun Evans and Rob Jones. Where those two jinxed or what?

For me and it is hard to say it was Owen. 

Proof is in the pudding in our skipper Stevie G, there is a whole plethora of players before him, another stand out is Carra, Fowler, Rob Jones, judas Owen,  mcmanaman , for more recent times,
Sterling obviously being the latest has a very bright future, as has, Ibe, Suso, Rossiter, Randall, Tricky-smith, Mcglaughlin, amongst other promising lads I'd like to think we have a conveyer belt of future superstars in our midst but unfortunately their not all going to make it,

We have Sterling right now but I think Ibe can be better IMO, exciting times ahead indeed !

YNWA

Used to try and get to every reserve match a good few years ago, got to say the one who excited me the most at that time was Niel Mellor at times he was unstoppable in the reserves still to this day can't believe he didn't make it.

If you break it down to the players who actually set the record for youngest player ever, currently Jerome Sinclair, then the player who made the greatest impact would have to be the great Ian Callaghan. Debut in 1960 at 17 we got 18 years out of him and over 800 games. Unreal.

Michael Owen would have to be next ahead of Raheem. No matter the opinion of him nobody can deny the impact he had. Raheem would come next for me.

As for players who didn't actually break the record for youngest player well as stated its endless. Fowler, Rush and Gerrard must be mentioned

Sure is Billy1. It's a very long list.

As you have seen a huge amount of them come through the ranks, would love to know whom of those under the age of 21, were the most promising to you?

The late great Billy Liddell was only 16 when we signed him on amateur forms in 1938,it was 1947 before I was able to see Billy play and he is the stand out player in my eyes.
He had so much skill, stamina and above all loyalty to Liverpool Football Club.
Roger Hunt was only 20 when he signed as an amateur and other worthy players who meet the criteria are, Gerry Byrne, Ian Callaghan, Sammy Lee, Ronnie Moran. All players who played for us on merit. I know that I will have missed players out and I apologise to that. In finishing what has happened to our local lads, why are they not making the grade these days, it gave us so much pride to see a good Liverpool Lad make the grade.

Michael Owen by some distance for me.

Yup I'm in the Michael Owen bandwagon as well.

The best young player I've seen in a red shirt (I have been a red since 2000).

Considering the quality of opposition, goals scored, matches affected & fear-factor, I'd say it's between Owen, Sterling and Fowler - with Fowler just shading it.

Wayne Harrison.

Michael Owen without a shadow of a doubt. World beater at 18. Incredible speed, incredible finisher. England's best player of the last 40 years, won many trophies with us yet career sadly derailed by poor judgement and horrendous injuries. Even though he may not have been the most affectionate of individuals, I loved him in the red shirt as he would strike fear into the very best teams be it for Liverpool or England. He may have joined Manchester United later on and left for Real under less than ideal circumstances, I still prefer to remember him as that brilliant Liverpool player. It may be sentimentality from childhood but at the end of the day those are the ones you value most and I continue to place Michael in my highest regards!

Raheem Sterling and Michael Owen have more raw talent than any other teenager I've seen at the club

If you break it down to the players who actually set the record for youngest player ever, currently Jerome Sinclair, then the player who made the greatest impact would have to be the great Ian Callaghan. Debut in 1960 at 17 we got 18 years out of him and over 800 games. Unreal.

Michael Owen would have to be next ahead of Raheem. No matter the opinion of him nobody can deny the impact he had. Raheem would come next for me.

As for players who didn't actually break the record for youngest player well as stated its endless. Fowler, Rush and Gerrard must be mentioned

Ian Callaghan is a legend Brian, he as well made an instant mark and his faithful service to LFC sets him apart - if we had him now at virtually any level of his outstanding career how much would he improve the side?
His consistency was unbelievable.

Owen for me.

The fact Sterling came on to the scene but then was taken out of the limelight for half a season, as he lost his early promise for me puts him behind a few of the young uns I've seen break through. It's a straight toss up for me between Fowler and Owen and if I'm honest it has to be Owen. He hit the ground running and tore every defence to pieces. I must admit though if a young lad comes in like Owen and Fowler and starts banging them in for fun they get the immediate star status, unlike say a Gerrard and McManaman who grow into it through consistent displays.

The fact Sterling came on to the scene but then was taken out of the limelight for half a season, as he lost his early promise for me puts him behind a few of the young uns I've seen break through. It's a straight toss up for me between Fowler and Owen and if I'm honest it has to be Owen. He hit the ground running and tore every defence to pieces. I must admit though if a young lad comes in like Owen and Fowler and starts banging them in for fun they get the immediate star status, unlike say a Gerrard and McManaman who grow into it through consistent displays.

Gerrard was a talent and you could see that from the very beginning, he also had growing pains or something similar which saw him miss a few games early on. But he, IMO soon grew into one of the best midfielders our club has ever had, and one of the best in the world.

Owen, Fowler, McManaman and Gerrard.

Owen would be my pick. 

Hate to say it, but it has to be Micheal Owen.

He came on stage with a bang and continued.

Gerrard cos he ended up having a great career, but as a young lad Micheal Owen had a greater impact.

Steve Mac, Fowler & Rednapp were also good.

But for me Its Owen as much as I hate to admit it.

Raheem started brighly, dipped a bit but has now picked up.

Michael Owen

His winner against Le Arse in FA cup final was the most memorable Michael Owen moment for me. Some people will say the goal against Argentina when he was just 18!

Ridiculous talent.

Hate, hate, hate, HATE that I have to go for Owen. Regardless of everything, it takes something special to win the Ballon D'or at such a young age, especially in an era of Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Rivaldo etc.

Between the age 17-21 Owen set the standard.  He was breaking records getting personal accolades, nominations in the short lists of the biggest awards of football.  Just a shame that he decided to be tw*t and then deservedly fell belly up. 

Fowler for me mateys .

From my limited viewing years, Owen impact wise and potential wise i would say Sterling and Ibe.

Owen.

I'm glad we've got LFCtv nowadays. Watching Sterling at youth level has been revitalising at a time when the first team were struggling.

That said, Fowler breaking through is one of my earliest footballing memories.

Wayne Harrison.

Is that the lad we got from Oldham, Pete? Me arl fella always talks about what a future he had.

My picks, for those who didn't make it include - Ritchie Partridge, Lee Jones and though not through our youth system, we did buy him at 20 - Chrissy Kirkland. The hype surrounding the young keeper when we got him and then he turned out to be a bit of a let down (injuries didn't help of course)

For those who did make it, Fowler end of. To have 10 goals (including two hat tricks) in your first ten games is exceptional. Follow that with three consecutive years of scoring 30 plus goals by the age of 22. The fastest hat-trick in history at the age of 19. I'm not gonna lie, I am biased towards Robbie for a number of reasons. But what that fella done at a young age was, for me, the greatest young 'un in our history.

If that injury against Everton, of all F***ing cu*ts, in 98 hadn't happened then I reckon he'd of been our all time top goalscorer (eventually)

Niel Mellor at times he was unstoppable in the reserves still to this day can't believe he didn't make it.

Pesky knees.

Fowler. No question.

My first game I saw him smash 5 in against Fulham. He has been my hero ever since.

As much as I hate Owen, he was exciting when he burst onto the scene but that was mostly due to his explosive pace. Talent wise, nobody comes close to Fowler. Still the best 'natural finisher' I've ever seen.

Is that the lad we got from Oldham, Pete? Me arl fella always talks about what a future he had.

Yep, died last christmas.

Was definitely seen as the eventual successor to Rush, never happened, terrible injury in the reserves finished his career.

Callaghan,Thomo,Fowler,Owen,Gerrard,Sterling.
Hopefully we can add Ibe and a few others to that list shortly.

It's pretty sad that since Owen, the only name that comes up is Raheem. That's a good decade between players.

Owen, Gerrard, Stirling

Sterling could well eclipse Owen before long.

I think Owen made the bigger impact as an 18 year old, I mean going to a World Cup, scoring a wonder goal and everything, but Sterling could well play for longer at the top of his game, providing he stays relatively injury free. Once Owen fu**ed his hammies up it was downhill pretty quick, whereas Sterling looks like he has a lot more in his locker than just raw pace.

Owen... But I believe Sterling will go on to be the better player in time

Owen
When I first saw him against Wimbledon I was gob smacked
I'd never seen before a player with that speed I was speechless..

Steven Gerrard. He was young when he first played.
He wasn't a converted Evertonian either.
Gerrard is the best young player to come through the ranks.
Full stop from me.

Steven Gerrard. He was young when he first played.
He wasn't a converted Evertonian either.
Gerrard is the best young player to come through the ranks.
Full stop from me.

He just made this really bad choice as a kid! In the reserves he wasn't even rated as the best player in his age group either!!



And no even at that age, you wouldn't have got me in their sh*t strip.

He just made this really bad choice as a kid! In the reserves he wasn't even rated as the best player in his age group either!!



And no even at that age, you wouldn't have got me in their sh*t strip.

That's their strip but whose F***ing trophy cabinet is that??

That's their strip but whose f**king trophy cabinet is that??

There's from the 80's ain't it ?

There's from the 80's ain't it ?

I know Steve, every dog and all stuff.

I know Steve, every dog and all stuff.

Such a long time ago though, eh Stuey

Such a long time ago though, eh Stuey

It's only them who remember mate.

That's their strip but whose F***ing trophy cabinet is that??

Everton's! 1986/1987 they won the league and charity shield in that kit.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Sterling.
Someone will need to find this thread in 5 years time and tell me if I'm right or wrong 

Everton's! 1986/1987 they won the league and charity shield in that kit.

I know mate but the cabinet's been echoing since then.

I know mate but the cabinet's been echoing since then.

It's a bit F***ing dusty now!!

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Sterling.
Someone will need to find this thread in 5 years time and tell me if I'm right or wrong 

I totally agree Swab.
He was the reason i started this thread.
I really think that his rapid progression from a youngster with good potential to a player that really could be world class is remarkable.
He has some many parts to his game and an attitude and desire to keep humble, to learn and work hard to improve.
We have had some fantastic players come through but he really could be the best. Very excited by him

I know this means nothing.  But I think if Sterling was put in the Owen era.  I think he would have been better.  Just think defenses are more prepared against lightening speed these days.  And at that time with his vision, calmness, work rate he would have instantly risen to the top.  But again that means nothing.  Hopefully he will make it now in the coming months and seasons.

If only you could put Sterling in a time machine and send him to the year 98 - he'd tear teams apart (he does now even)!

I believe football has evolved a lot since then. Owen was incredible nonetheless and relative to time, Owen was the best imo.

Pesky knees.

Never heard of him.  What position did he play?  And with a name like that it should have been a red flag as to not signing him.

Owen, but Sterling is still young so time to get past Judas Owen

Got to be Gerrard hasn't it? Or, am I missing something here? Gerrard was young when he started soooo

Got to be Gerrard hasn't it? Or, am I missing something here? Gerrard was young when he started soooo

I think he's become one of our greatest but I don't think he was our 'best' young player.  Partly due to the fact that I think Goalies, defenders and midfielders come in to their own later, as the odd mistake can be forgiven of a young striker/forward, but less so with other positions.  Not that I think it's right, just the way it is. 

I think he's become one of our greatest but I don't think he was our 'best' young player.  Partly due to the fact that I think Goalies, defenders and midfielders come in to their own later, as the odd mistake can be forgiven of a young striker/forward, but less so with other positions.  Not that I think it's right, just the way it is. 

I dont know if I'm remembering it wrong but I'm sure he impressed me when he first came into the team to the same level as any striker did and cosistantly improved or made his talents more refined.
I get what you're saying and it's a good point. He's stll my choice though because he made an impact straight away in an influential part of the pitch.

He just made this really bad choice as a kid! In the reserves he wasn't even rated as the best player in his age group either!!



And no even at that age, you wouldn't have got me in their sh*t strip.

Didn't he say he was made to do it by an uncle?

He just made this really bad choice as a kid! In the reserves he wasn't even rated as the best player in his age group either!!



And no even at that age, you wouldn't have got me in their sh*t strip.

Soz if I failed to respond to this, for some reason I don't always know where I've posted or how look out for resposes to my posts, it's a flaw of mine.
This came to my attention because you got quoted today and I saw i've only just saw it.
As Brian78 said, I'm sure he said he did it for his uncle or something.

Fowler. In his second season he scored 31 goals as 20-years-old lad.

I'm not sure if I'm alone but I completely forgot about Stevie when posting in here as I was thinking of players who didn't play for us anymore for some reason.

Liverpool's best ever young player?

Surely it has to be the skipper.

 Chris Lawler was an immaculate footballer 19 was very young for a player when he started .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Lawler

Is this a very young forum or are people just basing answers on the premiership era?

I see Walton suggests silent night Chris Lawler and I suggested Ian Callaghan but nearly every other post is Owen Fowler or incredibly Raheem!   

Is this a very young forum or are people just basing answers on the premiership era?

I see Walton suggests silent night Chris Lawler and I suggested Ian Callaghan but nearly every other post is Owen Fowler or incredibly Raheem!   

Cally has got to be a good shout, it is about the best youth but when you consider what he went on to achieve and those qualities were inherent for all to see in his early days, Ian Callaghan strolls it. 

Cally has got to be a good shout, it is about the best youth but when you consider what he went on to achieve and those qualities were inherent for all to see in his early days, Ian Callaghan strolls it. 

As I said in my post at the time mate over 800 games over an 18 year period debut at 17 won everything. Don't see how any other comes close. 5 leagues 2 FA cups 2 European cups 2 UEFA cups and a super cup. Unreal

As I said in my post at the time mate over 800 games over an 18 year period debut at 17 won everything. Don't see how any other comes close. 5 leagues 2 FA cups 2 European cups 2 UEFA cups and a super cup. Unreal

both Ian Callaghan and Chris Lawler often get overlooked because they were the perfect professional footballer.Ian Callaghan also adapted his game as he got older  just like Stevie has had to do.God bless them all they have given us so many great memories.

Ian Callaghan was the  standard every young  player should aim to emulate. In the 1960s we had so many loyal players who wore our RED SHIRT with pride and gave everything for the Liverpool cause.

Sterling over the last couple of weeks is showing once again the reason for why I started this thread.
To me, out of all the youngsters with massive potential,that have emerged for us over the decades, is the player I look to as the one with best chance of being top of the pile.
Versatile across the forward line, maturity beyond his years, integral to our system and hopeful success and technically brilliant.
A player any team in the world would want right now.
He is showing us all what a well rounded, versatile and potentially world class player he is.