Promising Liverpool trio sign new long-term contracts

Rob Conlon
Trent Alexander-Arnold: Defender rewarded for breakthrough

Trent Alexander-Arnold: Defender rewarded for breakthrough

Highly-rated Liverpool trio Kevin Stewart, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben Woodburn have sign new long-term deals with the club.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been eager to reward all three for their recent emergence among the first team, with negotiations held by sporting director Michael Edwards.

Midfielder Stewart, 23, joined Liverpool on a free transfer from Tottenham two years ago and was handed his debut by Klopp in the FA Cup last season, before going on to make 17 appearances in the senior squad.

Stewart only signed a new four-year deal in February but has been handed a pay-rise and extended his contract by a further year to 2021.

READ MORE: Just who is new Liverpool wonderkid Ben Woodburn?

Alexander-Arnold, 18, has also penned a new five-year deal after making an accomplished first-team debut at right-back in the League Cup victory over Tottenham.

Finally, prodigious midfielder Woodburn has signed a three-year contract, which is the maximum allowed at the age of 17.

Woodburn caught the eye in pre-season with goals at Fleetwood and Wigan, and is considered one of the brightest talents to come through Liverpool’s academy.

“This is really positive news of course, and it’s brilliant we have acted decisively to show our intent with our young players,” Klopp told the club’s official website.

“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.

“The most important thing for us is the pathway to the first team. I think we have shown that with the work Alex [Inglethorpe] and his staff do at the Academy, we offer a clear pathway to first-team football if the players embrace what is on offer for them. I cannot praise them [the Academy] enough for the culture and environment they have there. It is perfect.

“The players know that it’s not just about ability: it’s application and a willingness to keep learning.

“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.”