Who are the teenagers tearing up the Premier League?

Bobby Clark, Ben Doak and James McConnellImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Bobby Clark (left) and James McConnell (right) both featured in the Carabao Cup final, with injured 18-year-old Ben Doak (centre) picking up a winner's medal for his part in earlier rounds too

Liverpool's triumph in the Carabao Cup on Sunday is proof that experience isn't everything.

The winning squad was made up of young players, with an average age of just 22 years old.

Jurgen Klopp's side were missing key players through injury, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones all unavailable for the final.

So the manager, who has said he will be leaving at the end of the season, had to rely on teenagers Bobby Clark, James McConnell, and Jayden Danns.

Let's learn a bit more about these stars of now and of the future, and delve a bit deeper into other teenagers making a name for themselves in the Premier League.

Bobby Clark - 19 - forward

Image source, EPA

Bobby Clark joined Liverpool from Newcastle in 2021 and signed his first professional contract with the club the following year, aged 17.

Football is in his blood as Bobby's Dad, Lee, was a professional footballer, making over 100 appearances for both Newcastle and Fulham in his playing days.

Bobby has so far made just four appearances in the Premier League, but Klopp seems to be a big fan of the youngster, and we can probably expect to see more of him soon.

Rico Lewis - 19 - defender

Image source, PA Media

Rico Lewis, who was born in Bury, (an area of Greater Manchester), joined Man City's academy at the age of eight and was quickly playing in teams above his age range.

By 15, Rico was a fixture in the Under-18 side and soon earned his place in Pep Guardiola's first team squad.

The right-back has made more than 20 Premier League appearances to date, and was a part of the side that won the continental treble in 2023.

He has even impressed the England manager Gareth Southgate enough to have included him in the National team for the Euro 2024 qualifiers in November.

Kobbie Mainoo - 18 - midfielder

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo has impressed boss Eric ten Hag from the get-go.

The Stockport lad learned his skills at the Man United academy from the age of nine.

It was there he won the prestigious Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award. Previous winners include Marcus Rashford and United legends Phil Neville and Paul Scholes.

In 2023, having earned his first Premier League start, aged 17, Mainoo earned himself the Man of the match trophy during the side's 3-0 win at Everton.

He scored his first ever Premier League goal in a 4-3 away win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, scoring a 97th minute winner.

Lewis Miley - 17 - midfielder

Image source, Reuters

Lewis Miley holds the record for being Newcastle's youngest Premier League player and goal scorer.

He joined the club at the age of seven and, 10 years later, made his first senior appearance in Eddie Howe's side on the final day of the 2022-23 season.

Lewis has since signed a long-term contract and said it was a hugely proud moment.

"It's a real joy playing in front of the fans, especially to hear them chanting my name. Their support means so much to me and my family. Hopefully I can keep getting better as a player."

James McConnell - 19 - midfielder

Image source, PA Media

James McConnell joined Liverpool from Sunderland in 2019.

The midfielder captained the under-21s this season and made his senior debut against Toulouse in the Europa League.

"I've had some big moments that I dreamed about since I was a kid, so it's been amazing," he told the Liverpool club's website.

He followed up his debut with a substitute appearance against Brentford in the Premier League.

"It's amazing playing at Anfield. My mum couldn't get there because she was working but my dad was there with his mates and he was very proud."

Evan Ferguson - 19 - forward

Image source, PA Media

Brighton and Hove Albion's Evan Ferguson has had Arsenal eyes on him ever since he joined the Seagulls, but he has recently committed his future to the coastal club.

He made his first appearance in January 2021, joining from Irish side Bohemians.

Ferguson has scored 15 goals in 43 senior games, including an impressive hat-trick against Newcastle in September 2023.

He's also made eight appearances for his national side of Ireland, scoring three goals in the process.

Jayden Danns - 18 - midfielder

Image source, PA Media

Jayden is the latest Liverpool-born youngster to come through the ranks at his boyhood club.

He is the son of former footballer Neil Danns, and following Liverpool's 4-1 win over Luton, manager Rob Edwards told Klopp: "I played with his dad."

He is a versatile player, and is able to play in midfield and attack, and has broken through into the senior team after an impressive season scoring ten goals in the under-18s.