2015-16 pundits' picks: Young Player of the Season
A number of youngsters made a big impact on the season just gone, but who was the stand-out performer? Our panel decide...
AK: Brad Smith. Every time I have seen this lad play, I've liked the look of him at left-back. He has still got a lot to learn but he has got a good left foot, loves to get forward, can cross a good ball and he is one for the future. I also like the look of Joe Gomez and it was a real shame for him when he picked up that injury. It will be great to see him back next season and I'm sure there is a lot more to come from him in the future.
RE: Emre Can. Obviously he still has a lot to learn and I hope a lot of improvement for him to come in the future, but I thought last season he was quite outstanding.
DK: What do we class as a young player now? In my mind, it is an Academy player who has graduated with honours but none of that group, such as Sheyi Ojo, Connor Randall and Cameron Brannagan, have had a prolonged spell of starts to stamp their authority. Ojo, of those three, has made the biggest mark. I'll give the award, though, to Emre Can. He's still only 22 and left his first season at Anfield well behind. He could become a huge player in the future.
JG: Emre Can. I wasn't sure about him at all at the start of the season, but his progress has been immense. You feel he can be anything he wants to be. Growing as a leader, too.
DD: Emre Can. Now showing why he is so highly regarded and playing in a position which suggests he has a lot more to offer. The fast improving Divock Origi runs him a very close second.
GR: An honourable mention for Divock Origi, who at 21 now looks a player transformed from what we were watching earlier in the season, but he hasn't played enough games to deserve the gong. The winner, therefore, is Emre Can. He's looking fitter, faster and is playing with more intelligence now. At 22, he's got his best years ahead of him but it was telling how much he was missed when he was out of the side towards the end of the season.
JA: Emre Can had a great season and he grew stronger as the season went on under the guidance of Jürgen Klopp. I am a big admirer of Can and there is a lot more to come from him.
MR: Divock Origi's transformation under Jürgen Klopp has been an absolute marvel to observe, and it also proved crucial during the Europa League run. He morphed from a raw talent into a real nightmare for defences, twice getting the better of Borussia Dortmund's backline as well as finishing his first campaign in English football with 10 goals. He'd have no doubt added to that tally if he hadn't missed seven games following his injury in the Merseyside derby.
JP: Emre Can. I think Can has improved massively under the guidance of Klopp. He now looks at home in the Liverpool midfield, he is playing with great confidence and don't forget he is still only 22.
CB: Does Can qualify for this, too? On balance, Divock Origi. He looked rawer than a plate of sushi when he made his debut, but by the end of the season we'd seen plenty of glimpses of his potential. Again, an injury was untimely.
NK: Divock Origi has been impressive this season, adding real purpose to his game, and he's one of Liverpool's most improved players of the campaign. His hat-trick against Southampton was definitely a season highlight and proves he's a real prospect.
SH: Emre Can. Blossomed under Klopp and can only get better and better.
DF: Emre Can has grown to be an influential player in the group. A lot is expected from him and I think he has massive potential. His performance in the Europa League semi-final against Villarreal after being out for so long was the stand-out performance of the season.