I always get a little excited when a young Liverpool player starts making people sit up and take notice. But with Luca Eden, I think there is a genuine reason for the growing interest.
The 15-year-old midfielder has already made history for Liverpool in the UEFA Youth League, becoming the club’s youngest player to feature in the competition at just 15 years and 182 days old.
And he didn’t look out of place.
Eden started against Atlético Madrid in September, helping Liverpool Under-19s take a 2-0 lead before the visitors fought back to earn a 2-2 draw. He also provided the assist for Josh Sonni-Lambie’s goal. It was a serious test against older opponents, yet Eden showed why Liverpool are so excited about him.
This is a youngster who deserves watching.
The Steven Gerrard comparisons are understandable
Let’s address the obvious comparison.
Plenty of people have already started comparing Eden to Steven Gerrard, and I can understand why.
There are similarities in the way he runs with the ball, strikes it and looks to drive forward from midfield. He seems comfortable taking responsibility, and there is something exciting about seeing a young midfielder who wants to influence a game rather than simply play it safe.
But I do want to be careful here.
We’ve seen Liverpool supporters get carried away with Gerrard comparisons before. Gerrard was one of the greatest players ever to wear the red shirt, and asking a 15-year-old to live up to that reputation would be completely unfair.
Eden doesn’t need to become the next Gerrard.
He needs to become Luca Eden.
If he develops into a top-level midfielder in his own way, that will be more than enough.
Still, the similarities are interesting, and they help explain why clips of Eden have attracted so much attention.
He is already being tested against older players
What impresses me most is that Liverpool aren’t keeping Eden away from difficult challenges.
He has progressed through the academy at a remarkable rate, becoming Liverpool’s youngest-ever player at Under-18 level before making his UEFA Youth League debut.
Against Atlético Madrid, he was playing in a midfield two against a physically demanding opponent. He battled, kept looking for the ball and helped Liverpool create opportunities.
Academy coach Rob Page described his performance as “outstanding” and praised the way he adapted to the physical demands of the game.
Page also made a point of highlighting Eden’s character, explaining that the youngster had run out of energy towards the end but didn’t want to come off.
That tells you something about his attitude.
At 15, he was competing in a European under-19 competition against players considerably older than him. It would have been easy to hide or struggle with the occasion, but he showed that he could handle the challenge.
Of course, one performance doesn’t tell us everything. He will have difficult games, make mistakes and need time to develop physically.
That’s part of being a young footballer.
But the early signs are encouraging.
Liverpool have to get his development right
This is where the excitement needs to be balanced with patience.
Eden is still only 15. There is no need to rush him into first-team football or start talking as though he is guaranteed to become a Liverpool superstar.
The club’s job is to keep challenging him at the right level, help him develop physically and tactically, and make sure he continues enjoying his football.
The fact he has already played at Under-18 and Under-19 level suggests Liverpool are willing to expose him to different challenges when they believe he is ready.
That is a positive sign.
And with Andoni Iraola now in charge of the first team, there will naturally be interest in which academy players might eventually catch his eye. But Eden doesn’t need to be involved with the seniors tomorrow.
He needs to keep improving.
If he does that, the opportunities will come in time.
Could he become a star at Anfield?
I certainly think he has the potential to become a very exciting player.
The record-breaking appearance is one thing, but the most encouraging part is that Eden contributed to Liverpool’s attacking play rather than simply making up the numbers.
His assist against Atlético showed his ability to influence a move, while his overall performance suggested he was comfortable taking on responsibility in midfield.
And those are the qualities that make me want to follow his progress.
I’m not going to tell you that Liverpool have already found their next Steven Gerrard. Nobody can know that, and the comparison puts an enormous burden on a teenager who is only just beginning his journey.
But I can see why people have made the connection.
There are flashes of that powerful, forward-driving midfield style that Liverpool supporters will recognise immediately.
The exciting thing is that Eden has years of development ahead of him.
He doesn’t need to live up to anyone else’s career. He needs the chance to build his own.
And if Liverpool get that development right, I wouldn’t be surprised to see his name become much more familiar to supporters over the coming years.
For now, I’ll be keeping a close eye on him.
The Gerrard comparisons are interesting, but Luca Eden’s story is only just beginning.
He could be a star in the making. And that is exciting enough without asking him to be anybody else.
By Jamie (The Kopite View)
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