Liverpool Signs Extremely 'Competitive' Defender Before Transfer Deadline

Liverpool has secured the future of another academy youngster.

James Norris has signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool, the club announced Monday.

The 18-year-old, who has been described in a statement as a defender“that loves to get forward down the left side and can also play in midfield when required,” is the latest academy youngster to commit his future to Liverpool.

Norris signed his first professional contract with the Reds last year but has been with the Merseyside club since his Under-9s days.

He was a regular in the Liverpool youth squads, particularly in the Under-19 team that reached the FA Youth Cup final last season.

The teenage left-back made his maiden senior team appearance in December of 2019 and become the fourth-youngest player to suit up for Liverpool's first team, aged 16 years eight months and 13 days.

Liverpool Under-18 coach Barry Lewtas was among the many who have been impressed by Norris’s unique qualities.

According to Lewtas, Norris has been a “real good performer” for his team and the type of player who “hates losing.”

“He’s been a really good performer for us,” Lewtas said of Norris last year. “He’s played in most of the games, and he’s moved up to the 23s and played there.”

“I wanted to give him the experience of playing different positions this season,” he continued. “We wanted to expand parts of his game technically, put him under a little bit of pressure. He’s been a really good performer for us. He’s had a real impact. He’s competitive, hates losing, and he sets good standards every single day.”

Liverpool has been quite successful in honing players in their academy, and Norris will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of his fellow academy graduate Harvey Elliott.

Like Norris, Elliott made bones in the youth ranks before becoming Jurgen Klopp’s newest rising star in the first team.

"Everybody wants to talk to me about Harvey [Elliott] and I understand absolutely," Klopp admitted.

Despite the transfer window nearing expiration, Klopp insisted that there’s no need for Liverpool to bolster its squad as it is already stacked with “good players.”

"It's not always with the best squad in the world, it's about developing as a squad and a club and that's what we have done," Klopp explained. "We have resources and have been building for a while. I have no time to look at other clubs. I see the news, but I have no time to think about what they can do."

"We do not want more players. Unless something happens it makes no sense to add more players. Everyone expects some player signings, (but) let's go through the squad. Do you want to buy a new fullback? A new goalkeeper? We already have good players there."