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With the list of absentees reaching as high as 14 players at one point, the presence of ‘Klopp’s kids’ has very much been needed since the turn of the year to fill the void left by the many walking wounded.

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And they have enjoyed a year to remember as a result, playing a significant role in winning the League Cup against Chelsea back in February, with such silverware the cherry on top of the cake after a plethora of debut appearances and a handful of maiden goal contributions.

But with that injury crisis nearing an end, consistent senior opportunities for starlets now look set to dry up at the business end of the season.

Consequently, overlooking Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley, who are now recognised first team players, Klopp hasn’t actually fielded an academy player since the Reds’ return to action following the March international break.

Of course, that takes nothing away from their successes this season.

But it’s not just at Anfield where the club’s next generation of players have caught the eye, ahead of potential auditions in front of Klopp’s would-be successor.

A number of starlets out on loan are catching the eye too, with supporters well-aware of the glowing reports the likes of Fabio Carvalho, Tyler Morton, Sepp van den Berg, Owen Beck, and Luke Chambers have been receiving.

Yet one youngster has perhaps gone under the radar despite his own eye-catching campaign away from Anfield.

Dominic Corness was Liverpool Under-21s captain last season, shining for Barry Lewtas’ side alongside the likes of Quansah and Clark before starting pre-season with the Reds’ first team.

But while a number of his team-mates departed to the Football League, if not granted a place in Klopp’s senior squad, the 20-year-old instead left for the continent as he completed a surprise temporary switch to Swiss Super League side, Yverdon-Sport.

While he has missed the last three games through injury, Corness had been enjoying an encouraging campaign in unfamiliar surroundings.

It's not like I've gone on loan.

“It's just like I take no notice of it because it's out of the way sort of thing, like the quality of the league and players.

I watched a few games and stuff like that.

“I talked to (former Liverpool team-mate) Liam Miller, who was at Basel at the time, about the league and stuff like that.

“Because I didn't know much about them, I was probably putting it, not on hold, but just until I found out a little bit more about the league, the club.

“For me, he's (Klopp) been a massive, massive help because it can be difficult, you know, for a young lad going up to the first team, but he just makes you feel welcome.

“And to be fair, when you train with the under-21s, the coaching style from the Under-21s manager, Baz (Barry Lewtas), he tries to give you the best possible opportunity so that when you go over there, it's not like a surprise, which I think is a credit to the club because they have the same philosophy throughout.

“But yeah, as I say, he (Klopp) just makes you feel welcome.

There's no pressure on you.’

“Actually, I was quite nervous, obviously, but two minutes into the match, all the nerves went and I was good to go.”

Following his parent club’s fortunes from afar this season, Corness has been delighted to see the likes of Quansah and Bradley make their mark in the Liverpool first team.

And while he hasn’t considered who could end up replacing Klopp in the summer, he is still hopeful of following in his team-mates’ footsteps when he reports back to the AXA Training Centre this summer.

“Out of the lads, I'd probably say I’m closest to Jarell.
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