See Klopp’s next generation
AT 23 years old and with limited first-team experience behind him, Kevin Stewart could still be regarded as a father figure at Anfield today as Jurgen Klopp introduces the next generation of Liverpool stars for the third-round tie against League Two Plymouth.
Having completed a busy Christmas programme and with a League Cup semi-final against Southampton on the horizon next week, Klopp will see this afternoon’s game as an opportunity to rest his first team and give an opportunity to teenagers Ben Woodburn, Sheyi Ojo, Trent Alexander-Arnold, the fit-again Joe Gomez and Ovie Ejaria.
Woodburn, 17, eclipsed Michael Owen’s record to become the youngest goalscorer in Liverpool history earlier in the season in a League Cup tie against Leeds.
Strangely, Stewart also has to be placed in the ‘rising star’ category even though he is a good four to six years older than the other Kop kids.
The combative midfielder is from north London and was released by Tottenham shortly before his 21st birthday without having played a first-team game.
But rather than go lower down the leagues to gain regular competitive matches, Stewart took up the opportunity of joining Liverpool — the team he supported as a boy because of his dad — and is just starting to feel the benefits.
He has made 18 first-team appearances under Klopp, who turned down approaches from West Brom and Swansea City to sign Stewart on loan this month.
‘I really like Jordan Henderson’s story because it’s not too dissimilar to mine,’ says Stewart, explaining his patient attitude. When I came here, I wasn’t one of the popular ones either because I’m not an exciting winger or a striker who comes on and scores three.
‘It’s about proving yourself right and a few people wrong, going through a lot of downs and a lot of criticism. For Henderson to be the captain now, and to be playing so well every week, it’s really inspiring.’
Stewart is athletic, strong in the tackle and can knit play together — a perfect fit for Klopp’s system. There was no silver spoon helping him to make it into the big time, which can make him a positive role model for Woodburn and the others who are being built up as future superstars. ‘They have all the talent in the world but I think it’s down to them to see how far it takes them,’ says Stewart. ‘They can get guided really well here but after a certain point it’s down to them.’ At Spurs, Stewart (left) faced strong competition from the likes of Ryan Mason, Nabil Bentaleb and Tom Carroll even to make the substitutes’ bench. ‘Things got a bit blocked for me,’ he admits. ‘I got a bit frustrated and wasn’t myself coming towards the end and didn’t play to the levels I know I can. In the end it was best for me to go and start afresh.’ He joined Liverpool on a free in 2014 three days after Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival at White Hart Lane with Anfield Academy chief Alex Inglethorpe having previously worked with him at Spurs.
‘I thought my route would possibly be League One, play as many games down there and maybe move on. But then Liverpool came in and I thought I would give it a go again at another big club. My coaches have always said to me that you should try and stay as high as possible for as long as possible.’
Stewart had a run-out in last season’s FA Cup when Liverpool had a scare at Exeter before progressing. He also has happy memories of this afternoon’s opponents, having scored against Plymouth for Burton Albion when on loan.
He knows he’s at an age where he has to kick on and put serious pressure on the likes of Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum for a first-team spot but he’s not waited this long to throw any hissy-fits. Liverpool gave him a new four-and-a-half-year contract earlier this season.
‘I’m not someone who’s going to try to go at the first sign that I’m not going to be involved every week. I’m more than happy to stay here and fight,’ he says.
‘Maybe in the future, there’ll come a point where the situation changes. I think that’s for them to tell me. But for now, I’m happy to continue doing what I’m doing here.’