Klopp impressed with starlet As Liverpool's win Blackburn in a friendly match

After Liverpool impressive win over championship side Blackburn, Jurgen Klopp has singled out one of his starlet heaping praise on 18-year-old Leighton Clarkson, who found the back of the net in the 6-0 victory and also lauded a number of other academy talents.

The Reds ran out 6-0 winners as they regain match sharpness ahead of the Premier League's return next week.

Clarkson scored the final goal at an empty Anfield to cap the Championship side's thrashing.

The academy starlet plays mainly as a defensive midfielder - but can also be used in more advanced roles - and shone in the 1-0 FA Cup win over Shrewsbury earlier this season.

And Clarkson could be in line for more opportunities with the first team after Klopp lauded his performance against Blackburn.

Describing his side's sixth goal, the German told Liverpool's official website: "It is just so nice. Not only the goal but when you see the situations when he came on, I think the first pass was between the two strikers, he got it in the No.6 position where he is calm, turns and passes the ball out."

Klopp also praised on a number of the other academy players who featured, adding: "We can teach the boys a lot, but they have to bring a lot.

"Obviously the basis for Leighton is not too bad and Jake [Cain] did really well, as well. All of the boys.

"For Sepp [Van den Berg] it is always hard for centre-halves. We have four, so sitting outside [but] he looks really promising in training sessions. Ki-Jana, centre-half and right-back and looks really good.

"You see them – when Harvey [Elliott], Curtis [Jones] and Neco [Williams] played, it looked good as well. It’s coming, it’s nice and nice they are here and training with us.

"The way we play helps the players to feel safe; everybody is defending and you should never feel alone in a big area where you have no chance to sort the situation. That’s what I really like and for the boys, it was really good."

Liverpool returns to Premier League action against local rivals Everton on 21 June and Klopp believes the friendly against Blackburn was essential preparation ahead of the Merseyside derby.

Source: mirror