Earlier this week, Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo celebrated his 20th Birthday – one week and one day after lifting the U20 World Cup with the Junior Lions. Of course, all footballers rise to prominence at different ages, but the prodigious winger’s latest milestone, especially when coupled with England’s first World Cup final success for 51 years, obliges the consideration of where he stands in Jurgen Klopp’s plans, what he’s achieved so far in his short career and where it can go from here.
In comparison to 2015/16, last season was a difficult one for the youngster. During Klopp’s first season in charge, he returned from a productive loan spell with Wolves in the Championship to make his mark in the first team, clocking up eleven appearances in total and netting an absolute belter of a first senior goal for the Reds against Exeter City in an FA Cup third round replay.
But after beginning last term on the sidelines through injury, which he picked up during the 2016 U19 European Championship with England, Ojo’s progress inevitably stalled. He ended the campaign with just two senior appearances to his name, only one of which was a start, totalling just 104 minutes, and spent most of the season with the U23 squad – largely impressing but still showing signs of inconsistency.
Perhaps that epitomises Ojo’s strengths and weaknesses at this stage of his career. When running with the ball, his natural talent becomes decisively evident; not only is the Hemel-Hempstead-born hot-shot blessed with two incredibly tricky feet that quite simply bamboozle defenders, he’s also a real physical force, offering power and pace in equal measure. Add in a left foot, his utility across the front-line and a vital sense of balance, and there’s an obvious comparison with a young John Barnes.
However, Barnes was always a brilliant striker of the ball, not to mention half a foot taller, which is where the comparison ends.
Ojo’s nowhere near as consistent when it comes to striking cleanly and consequently, his end product can be a source of frustration – especially for a forward so capable of driving himself into dangerous areas. That being said, a rate of contributing to one goal (either scoring or assisting) per 157 minutes at senior level is nothing to be sniffed at for a 20-year-old still learning his trade.
Nonetheless, Ojo’s limited participation in the second half of last season will have been a real concern. With Liverpool so dependent on Sadio Mane, not winning a Premier League fixture in his absence until the start of April, Ojo should have been deemed by Klopp as the prime stand in, offering that same width, mazy dribbling and penetration if not goal threat.
The Junior Lion, didn’t get a sniff, however, with fellow youngsters Divock Origi and Ben Woodburn preferred instead. Liverpool are now on course to sign Mohamed Salah, another blockade to the starting line-up from Ojo’s perspective.
Yet, international football always improves players – even if that may not always seem the case with England – and after lifting the U20 World Cup, Ojo will rightly return to pre-season with a renewed sense of optimism. And although Klopp is looking to add an expensive addition to his wide forward ranks in Salah, Liverpool will have to orchestrate their way through far more competitive matches next season than last term’s 47, with Champions League football (qualification pending) and potentially Europa League football (should they exit the Group Stages) representing a fourth front. Likewise, the Reds only progressed through three rounds during the 2016/17 FA Cup – that will surely be improved upon next season with a larger squad.
Whilst Premier League football will be the truest test of Ojo’s abilities and the platform where he’s likely to learn the most the quickest, the likelihood of added fixtures in cup competitions should give him more opportunities to impress. By the end of January 2017, Liverpool’s season had become all about must-win games in the Premier League, so perhaps it’s understandable Klopp left a youngster recovering from a recent injury out of his plans.
But perhaps the biggest positive Ojo can take into the next season is that he clearly possesses the traits to excel in the way Klopp wants his forwards to play, not only in terms of mimicking Sadio Mane’s ability to stretch with speed and width but also the fact he can operate across the front-line.
He’s featured on both flanks already throughout his short career, peeling in from the right or charging to byline on the left, and impressed as a busy striker for the U23 squad last term. Capable with both feet and difficult to stop when surging forward with the ball, there’s an argument for him playing centrally behind the striker as well – offering a similar kind of battering-ram service to a younger Yaya Toure.
Off the ball too, Ojo has what it takes to be compatible with Klopp’s high pressing game. It’s as much a question of mindset as it is athleticism or physicality – just as Adam Lallana – but Ojo is strong, quick and enthusiastic of the typically youthful variety. If he shows he’s willing to contribute to that side of Liverpool’s game-plan as well, he could quickly become one of Klopp’s favourites.
But after his success with England last summer, Premier League clubs will surely be interested in taking Ojo on loan next season, something that could better serve his individual development by giving him that all-important game-time in the top flight. So, Reds fans, how would you make use of Ojo next season? Let us know by voting below…
WIN! Take our survey below for a chance to win your favourite club’s new 17/18 home or away shirt…
