Liverpool Transfer News: Kevin Stewart Among Trio to Sign Long-Term Contracts

Liverpool youngsters Kevin Stewart, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben Woodburn have signed new long-term contracts at the club. 

The trio have impressed manager Jurgen Klopp who, per James Carroll for the official website, said it showed the strong link between the academy and first team:

"

This is really positive news of course, and it's brilliant we have acted decisively to show our intent with our young players.

With Kev it is maybe a little different. He is of course established with us now and making a contribution as an important member of our first-team squad.

Trent spends most of his time with the first team in this moment and is progressing each and every day.

Ben is in those earlier stages and has a lot of developing to do still - but wow, what an exciting talent he is.

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Bringing through players from the academy has been a clear part of Klopp's vision at Anfield. Of the three to sign new deals, it is Stewart in particular who has featured most prominently in and around the first-team setup this season.

Stewart joined Liverpool from Tottenham in 2014 as a right-back but a switch to midfield and the influence of Klopp have played a large part in his progression, according to the club's under-23 manager Michael Beale, who said, as noted by Steve Hunter for the official site:

"The change of position has helped him, and our manager Jürgen Klopp has shown a lot of faith and belief in him.

"The boy has grown from having our manager's support, and I think that is the case for a lot of young players up and down the country."

After the deals were completed at the club's training ground, Melwood, the manager added, per the club:

"

All three of these players are big talents and are at different stages of their development, but it is development that is key and they must continue to learn and improve to achieve their full potential. News like today makes it exciting for me and the first-team staff that their development will continue with us at LFC.

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News of Liverpool securing the futures of their young players will provide a further boost to fans who are well accustomed to watching academy players come through and become mainstays of the club.

Former stars Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard in particular were cornerstones of the side in recent times.

Stewart has clearly enjoyed being part of Liverpool's fine start to the season:

Woodburn meanwhile has been likened in style to Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, as per James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo.

His is the name that regularly crops up when academy staff are asked who the next big local star could be. Pearce wrote that Woodburn is "blessed with pace, strength, skill and a lethal eye for goal, it's no wonder that excitement over what he might go on to achieve is growing."

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Alexander-Arnold made his competitive debut in the EFL Cup win against Spurs in October. The man who signed him was former MK Dons and Liverpool academy boss Karl Robinson, who revealed the battle he faced to take him to Anfield.

Robinson told the 5Times podcast (h/t Will Griffee of MailOnline): "He had a choice between Liverpool and Everton, and we literally kidnapped him! 

"We wouldn't let him anywhere because he was so good. He was a striker as a kid. He was the best by a long way. We did everything we possibly could to sign him."

Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

The three youngsters' progress continues a positive campaign for the club so far, who appear invigorated under the guidance of German boss Klopp.

A thumping 6-1 victory over Watford on Sunday took Liverpool top of the Premier League ahead of the international break and was the latest sign of their title credentials.

The attacking quality of Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, allied to the guile and improvement shown by Adam Lallana have at times proved unstoppable for opponents.

At the other end however, Klopp's side have only managed to keep one clean sheet in the league as question marks remain over their defensive organisation, particularly on set pieces.

But with the confident mood currently around Anfield, and the added bonus of young players now seeing a clear route into the first-team picture, the future at Liverpool looks to be an extremely bright one.