English giants Liverpool are tracking 15-year-old Dutch goal-tender Jord Ruijgrok according to reports. The youngster has earned comparisons to AC Milan goalkeeping sensation Gianluigi Donnarumma after impressing on-lookers with his determination and intense desire.
The shot-stopper is currently playing for Dutch giants Ajax and has caught the attention of Liverpool scouts.
According to Goal, The Reds are keeping tabs on his progress with the youngster requiring a year before being allowed permission to sign a professional contract at Anfield.
The teenager is still wet behind the ears having failed to make an appearance in Ajax’s senior team. However, he recently got promoted to the Ajax u-17 squad which is an indication that the club is looking to encourage him, having realised the immense talent he possesses. He has also delivered impressive performances in the four appearances he made for the Netherlands U-15 squad.
Ajax, though, will be looking to tie him down to a long-term contract which will drive away concrete interest from clubs looking to poach him up like Liverpool and other Premier League giants.
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Standing at 5ft 7 inches, Ruijgrok is not exactly a towering presence, but is still effective between the sticks and has some growing to do. Liverpool will be looking to get him regular game time in the youth team, if the move pays off before promoting him to the senior squad where he can take up the backup role behind German goalkeeper Loris Karius.
German manager Jurgen Klopp has always displayed an inclination towards developing a young effective youth base at all the clubs he has managed so far. Borussia Dortmund benefitted as many youngsters encouraged by Klopp like Mario Gotze, and Marco Reus went on to deliver sublime performances for the club. After 17-year-old Ben Woodburn impressed fans and experts alike with his creativity, skill and vision, Klopp will be looking to add another jewel to this unit.
The gaffer encouraged youngsters like Divock Origi, and Emre Can in his first season at Anfield. Origi, who was named in the worst players 11 during his loan spell in France, went on to prove his critics wrong delivering sublime performances for the club under Klopp. His attacking style of play and determination earned him comparisons to Manchester United’s young talent Marcus Rashford who was equally impressive under Dutch manager Louis Van Gaal.
Emre Can, who was being played out of position under Brendan Rodgers, performed splendidly at the heart of midfield in the absence of Jordan Henderson.
The move would make all the more sense seeing Karius’ struggles in Liverpool’s latest game against Bournemouth, one they ended up losing by 4 goals to 3 courtesy a howler by the keeper late on. The Reds are currently in third in the Premier League, four points off league-leaders Chelsea.
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