Reds' youth can shoulder greater responsibility

With three experienced players set to depart this summer, Liverpool's youth ranks are more than capable of stepping up to the mark.

Come June 21st, Liverpool's elite will find themselves heading into their first league fixture for more than three months.

A maximum of six points from the campaign's remaining nine games will see the reds crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 30 years.

And once the job is done and the title sealed, it seems Jurgen Klopp will 'blood' several of his club's youth players.

Though, the game-time of several individuals in particular will likely take precedence over others': Harvey Elliot, Nico Williams and Curtis Jones.

The three have greatly impressed in their fleeting appearances this season.

Admirable performances came in victories over Merseyside rivals Everton in the Carabao Cup before Arsenal a matter of weeks later in a five-a-piece FA Cup thriller.

With three senior figures at the club heavily linked with moves away come the summer, let's take a look at how the youth can inherit their respective mantles.

Elliott for Shaqiri

An enigmatic figure in around the fringes of the Liverpool squad, Xherdan Shaqiri has featured only six times for his side this campaign.

Clearly out of favour and desperate for game-time, multiple clubs have supposedly lodged their interest in the Swiss winger, with Newcastle leading the chase for his signature.

At a tender 16 years and 30 days-old, Harvey Elliott became the youngest ever player to feature in a Premier League fixture when he entered the fray as a substitute for Fulham in a one-nil defeat to Wolves last season.

Impressed by his apparent potential, Liverpool snapped up the starlet and haven't looked back since.

Possessing a left-foot almost as sweet as Shaqiri's, the England Under-23 international also boasts game intelligence and ball-control far beyond his years.

With a continued, meteoric rise in his level of performances, Elliott needs only more time to showcase his talent in order to establish himself in the first-team, despite his age.

Williams for Clyne

With only a handful of appearances for Liverpool over the last few years, Nathaniel Clyne recently enjoyed a brief loan spell with Bournemouth in the 18/19 campaign. However, an anterior cruciate ligament injury brought a comprehensive and abrupt end to his season, seeing him return to his parent club for treatment.

Before Trent Alexander-Arnold's steadfast retention of Liverpool's right-back position, Clyne was the reds' go-to man. The former Southampton defender's quick turn of pace and positional awareness saw him as one of the first name on the team-sheet for a number of years, especially under the reign of Brendan Rodgers.

Though, with both his contract coming to an end and his valuation ever-plummeting, the full-back will be moving on to pastures anew this summer.

In contrast, Nico Williams has only seen his stock skyrocket.

It was following a man of the match performance in the aforementioned fixture versus Arsenal that Williams truly established himself as the leading candidate for the position of Alexander-Arnold's deputy.

One moment in particular was especially reminiscent of Trent's skill-set, as the Welshman floated an inch perfect cross into the opposition area for Divock Origi to acrobatically dispatch:

Jones for Lallana

Fans' frustration over Adam Lallana's injury record is most likely shared by the player himself.

Vying with former-red Daniel Sturridge for the title of 'most games missed through injury', Lallana has featured as little more than a bit-part, rotation player for the last few years.

Despite popping up with a vital equaliser at Old Trafford earlier in the season, Lallana's wages greatly outweigh his contributions to the club.

A short-term extension will see Lallana stay at Liverpool for the remainder of the current campaign. Following his contract's expiry however, a bosman move to reunite with former boss Brendan Rodgers at Leicester is looking increasingly likely.

Scouse sensation Curtis Williams is expected to step up in Lallana's absence, and the versatile youngster certainly possesses the attributes to do so.

And if there's one youth player who will not feel the weight of his predecessor on his shoulders, it's Jones.

In a display of both his own and his manger's confidence in his abilities, the midfielder became the youngest-ever player to don the Liverpool captain's armband as he led out his side for a fourth-round FA Cup replay this season at just 19 years of age.

Despite this, it was another moment that truly saw Jones's reverence established amongst Liverpool fans:

Due to the financial repercussions caused by football's suspension, club-owners Fenway Sports Group's investment in procuring new talent is expected to be minimal this summer window.

However, with such youth talent so abundantly available, the reds needn't look further than their very own production line.