Pep's pups can teach Klopp's kids a lesson

BLUES' YOUTH SYSTEM IS EXAMPLE TO ALL CLUBS

- JOE BRAY

"IT'S Klopp's kids winning against the blue billion pound bottle jobs," declared Gary Neville as Liverpool closed in on an impressive Carabao Cup win at Wembley last month.

Much has been made of that already-iconic line of commentary, namely for the brutal assessment of Chelsea's transfer strategy. Liverpool marched on and booked an FA Cup quarter-final place later that week with a similar youthful line-up, and Klopp's Kids could be a nickname immortalised like the Busby Babes or Class of '92 if they fulfil their potential.

Some example c of academy Klopp's Kids could ach Joe be in the squad to face City on Sunday, even with more key senior players returning from injury for Liverpool.

The moniker will stick when Klopp leaves this summer but those players need to know they are not yet the finished product.

'Pep's pups' (if we are insisting on alliteration), will serve Liverpool a timely reminder this weekend of the work that is still needed at Anfield.

At full-time on Wednesday in the Champions League, four City academy graduates were on the pitch in the Champions League last-16, with serial winner and 257-times Blues player Phil Foden rested ahead of Sunday. One more academy youngster was on the bench, with plenty others involved in senior squads this season and first-team training.