NEXT GEMS: Trent Kone-Doherty, Liverpool & Ireland Starlet

Irish Sensation, Kone-Doherty is showing signs of great potential in the Liverpool Academy with first team football not far off.

The recently turned 17-year-old signed for Liverpool last summer for a reported figure worth £150,000.

The winger put many clubs on alert early doors when he made noise at youth level across Ireland being top scorer for Derry City's U15 side. Despite not quite making his debut for Derry City he did feature on the bench for the senior side at just 15 years of age.

With many clubs circling, Celtic seemed the odds on favourites to tie him down to a youth deal after going on trial with them for the first time back in 2020. Although representing Ireland - due to being based in Northern Ireland the youngster was able to make a move permanent when he turned 16 unlike others in the Republic who cannot make the switch to a UK side until they turn 18.

Despite Celtic being favourites for him it was Liverpool in the end who moved to the front of the line. A tough blow for the Scottish giants whom also lost their top prospect, Ben Doak, to The Reds that summer.

In his first season with the club he had a blistering start in the U18s scoring 10 goals in all comps and featuring for the U19 side too on their way to the UEFA Youth League Quarter Finals.

Many Liverpool fans were calling for the young talent to get a chance in the first team alongside Doak - as he netted 9 times in his first 10 fixtures.

However, it was a disappointing end to the season as he picked up a serious ankle injury against Manchester City back in February & missed the remainder of the season.

The injury hasn't hampered any talent on the young man's part as his return to the side was his participation in Northern Irelands famed & world renowned International youth tournament - SuperCupNI (formerly known as the Milk Cup).

The tournament saw the young winger play back in his home County for the first time since his move to Merseyside & he definitely impressed his compatriots. Kone-Doherty was awarded Player of the Tournament an achievement won by the likes of Wayne Rooney & Sergio Busquets in their youth.

It isn't the first time he has shone on a big platform in youth tournaments as he was also named Player of the Tournament for Irelands U16 side in Serbia whilst playing in the Miljan Miljanic Tournament.

Liverpool U18's Head Coach, Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, spoke on how the past week was for Kone-Doherty: 

"It's probably been a little bit more difficult for Trent, he's on the back of an injury & it's been his first exposure to games, & obviously he's coming back home, which brings with it a different mentality.

People are looking at him, cheering him & it's great to come back & put in some good performances."

Bridge-Wilkinson also gave Kone-Doherty the armband for Liverpool's final fixture in the tournament against Hertha Berlin, a nice touch.

"He has settled in really well since joining the club last year. He is a lovely boy & has been brought up really well.

We are really thankful to have him" the Liverpool manager added.

Kone-Doherty has stated his idol is Frenchman Kylian Mbappe & tries to model himself on the world-class winger - " I like Mbappe, I like watching him & taking tips off him". He shares a similar profile to Mbappe in which he's an incredible dribbler of the ball, amazing close control & skill whilst possessing blistering pace.

Due to his physique & build, he usually likes to pin defenders & drop the shoulder to spin away from challenges instead of getting drawn into physical mismatches. But you can already see a big difference in the young man's build since his move to the Premier League side's academy.

Expectations are high for the man from Derry; with many fans hoping to see him make his first team debut for Klopp's men this coming season. Definitely one of Ireland's top prospects for the future & potentially a future winger for Liverpool in the coming years.