Last weekend brought the 235th Merseyside derby, and with it a memorable victory for a much-changed Liverpool side featuring a host of young academy talent primed to make their first-team breakthrough.
But while the likes of Neco Williams, Yasser Larouci and Curtis Jones deservedly grabbed the headlines, academy expert Matt Addison has predicted a bright future for another Reds starlet.
Speaking on Blood Red’s Academy Show podcast , Addison highlighted Abdi Sharif as his one to watch for 2020, despite the fledgling midfielder’s recent injury woes.
“Big things were expected of him with the U23s this season and I know the coach, Neil Critchley, was really disappointed that he got the injury (anterior cruciate ligament) just as the season was about to begin,” said Addison.
“He’d done well during pre-season and was expected to be one of those who stepped up from the FA Youth Cup winning team into the U23s
“It hasn’t quite happened for him yet, but he’s another exciting player, one who loves to dribble, likes the ball at his feet.
“He’s a wide player who tends to play off the right but he can go central or off to the left as well.”
And Addison firmly believes the Toxteth teenager has what it takes to bounce back from surgery and make a big splash in the coming months.
“I’m not too sure how far down the line he is with his recovery, I believe he’s not too far away from coming back, but of course when you’ve been out for five-six months it’s going to take a while to get up to match fitness again,” said Addison of the 19-year-old lifelong Liverpool fan.
“Hopefully he stays injury free over the course of this year and finishes the season strongly.
“Potentially going into the start of next season, he could be a very big player for Neil Critchley.”
