08 Nov 2016 08:18:51
'Kevin Stewart, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben Woodburn have today committed their futures to Liverpool FC by signing long-term contracts with the club. '

Great news!

1.) 08 Nov 2016
08 Nov 2016 09:44:22
That is great news liverpoolfc16.

2.) 08 Nov 2016
08 Nov 2016 09:13:42
some super news, any 1 else who the club is trying to get on a new contract Eds?

{Ed001's Note - not sure off the top of my head, not really something I look into too closely as contracts are pretty much irrelevant these days.}

3.) 08 Nov 2016
08 Nov 2016 10:03:43
Thats true ed1.

{Ed001's Note - their main purpose these days seems to be to give agents a big wedge and players financial security. Not so sure that either of those things are a good thing at the age these 3 lads are. Will they still have the same fire in their belly when they know they have enough money to retire tomorrow? On the other hand, if they are forced into retirement through injury, it is good to know they won't starve. A middle ground needs to be found though, or we risk seeing young players lose their way.}

4.) 08 Nov 2016
08 Nov 2016 11:03:22
Any other sports have a good model to follow that you know of Ed?

{Ed001's Note - not really. Maybe the American sports way of putting them through college first would help.}

5.) 08 Nov 2016
08 Nov 2016 11:45:30
there biggest challenge now is to break into the 1st team, stewart for example has lost his place to emre can and is getting to the age where he should be playing more often. Agree with ed001 about how money influences young players, some cannot cope with it and lose motivation very quickly, education could be a very useful tool as there have been countless examples of players wasting there potential but have been very well paid as there career goes down the toilet.

6.) 08 Nov 2016
08 Nov 2016 11:33:30
Really like Stewart, well like them all but just can't see how Stewart gets into the team considering he's not actually that young.

7.) 08 Nov 2016
08 Nov 2016 13:14:14
The college thing is problematic because what happens when these players are forced to go to college and get career ending injuries. They could've made millions had they not went to college. Plus, let actual academics get those scholarships, or at least athletes that actually want to go to college.

8.) 08 Nov 2016
08 Nov 2016 14:07:45
I think college is a good idea because for every superstar that comes from the rank, there's Probably 20 or 30 who fail to make the cut and what then? The college system is good because it gives young athletes an education and even if they leave college and go pro, many NFL stars have gone back to college to finish their majors, having an education is an excellent backup in my opinion. Even some college guys make the cut but quickly fall back out after a couple of years, if Kevin Stewart had a career ending injury aside from the money and to my knowledge he doesn't have a degree what does he have, but if it was American way he'd have a major to fall back on, right Ed?

9.) 08 Nov 2016
08 Nov 2016 14:07:45
I think college is a good idea because for every superstar that comes from the rank, there's Probably 20 or 30 who fail to make the cut and what then? The college system is good because it gives young athletes an education and even if they leave college and go pro, many NFL stars have gone back to college to finish their majors, having an education is an excellent backup in my opinion. Even some college guys make the cut but quickly fall back out after a couple of years, if Kevin Stewart had a career ending injury aside from the money and to my knowledge he doesn't have a degree what does he have, but if it was American way he'd have a major to fall back on, right Ed?

{Ed001's Note - you would hope so anyway. I know a lot of the clubs, including Liverpool, are now putting in more effort to ensure their academy lads get a proper education, just in case. Maybe we will just naturally end up there over time.}

10.) 08 Nov 2016
08 Nov 2016 14:31:46
Cheers Ed, it would take a lot of rejigging of the whole entire system to replicate the American since pros come from college whereas our pros come from the academy, and our college/ Uni sports is nowhere near as competitive and popular as it is over there.

11.) 08 Nov 2016
08 Nov 2016 14:43:44
Couldn't agree more ed1, on all points, spot on.

12.) 08 Nov 2016
08 Nov 2016 14:50:48
yeah don't most of Liverpool academy players go to Rainhill High School alongside their YTS. Think Everton send there's to Wade Deacon in Widnes aswell.

13.) 08 Nov 2016
08 Nov 2016 18:13:08
I have always thought that these young lads should have their money held in trust until they get older and only be given an allowance.
Liam Brady (Ireland and Arsenal Legend for the young lads) said that while scouting for young Irish players at English clubs, he found plenty of young players in the reserves who were earning 7 or 8 times what their parents earned, who thought they had made it. They had lost their hunger. This must also be a big part of the cause of the decline of English players in the EPL.

14.) 08 Nov 2016
08 Nov 2016 20:28:19
In France and Germany, the club academy players have to not just play football, but to also pass their secondary school diplomas or they won`t make the team. This is what also happens in American sports as the kids have to go to college and play before being drafted by pro teams. Certain colleges like Stanford, are strict with kids` grades as if they don`t do well in class, they won`t play regardless of talent. Whereas, others like Ohio State, Florida and so on, fast track the talented ones to play instantly hence, ruining their futures outside of the game.