5 Liverpool youngsters Klopp will think all deserve an FA Cup winners' medal

Liverpool's push for a quadruple remains alive after their FA Cup final victory over Chelsea, and it wouldn't have been possible without the contribution of some of the Reds' academy talents.

Jurgen Klopp's side prevailed on penalties after a goalless draw - a repeat of the result when the teams met in the Carabao Cup final earlier in the season. Kostas Tsimikas scored the winning kick, showing the importance of a deep squad, but the Greek international isn't the only fringe player to have played a big part in the FA Cup success.

Klopp has demanded more medals than the 40 initially provided by the FA, after making use of his full first team squad and academy during the competition.

Some youngsters have played big parts in multiple competitions, with the likes of Harvey Elliott and Caoimhin Kelleher heavily involved in the Carabao Cup triumph, but others are worthy of having their FA Cup contributions recognised even if they happened months ago.

"We can't go to the final and always play the same eleven players," Klopp said after the FA Cup win, as reported by the Liverpool Echo. "That is really not possible. Everybody has his part.

"Now you can hear publicly, to the FA, more medals. I cannot believe that the amount of medals is restricted. Why would you do that?

"We realise we want to give medals to all the players, but then the coaches can't have them. It's a bit tough.

"Dear FA, please send some more medals. The squad is getting bigger but the numbers stay the same so do that."

Liverpool began their FA Cup campaign back in January, coming from behind to beat Shrewsbury Town in the third round. Here, Mirror Football looks at five youngsters who played their part in the early stages of the competition, who Klopp may have had in mind when making his comments.

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Conor Bradley

Right-back Bradley got a full 90-minute run-out against Shrewsbury, but that wasn't his only involvement this season. He also played in three of the Reds' Carabao Cup games - including the dramatic 3-3 draw with Leicester - and earned a Champions League debut from the bench against AC Milan.

The 18-year-old made his international debut for Northern Ireland in 2021, but is still waiting for his first Premier League minutes under Klopp. The closest he came was back in November, when he was an unused substitute for the 4-0 win over Arsenal.

Klopp sung Bradley's praises after the youngster's debut against Norwich in the Carabao Cup. "You saw Conor Bradley tonight, I'm not sure... I heard the first Northern Irish player to play [for Liverpool] since 1954 - sounds anyway too long - but great great thing and he played a super game," the boss said.

Elijah Dixon-Bonner

Dixon-Bonner made his Liverpool debut back in January 2020, appearing from the bench against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup. Two years on, the 21-year-old was handed a start against the same opponents, forming part of a midfield three with Tyler Morton and Fabinho.

The England under-17 international also got his first taste of Carabao Cup football this season. He was a late substitute in the fourth-round win at Preston, replacing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for the final moments.

Formerly a member of Arsenal's academy, Dixon-Bonner has three goals to his name in Premier League 2 this term. He also netted in the Papa John's Trophy, something which no other Liverpool player managed in the competition.

Tyler Morton

Morton has been involved far more than many other youngsters this season. Klopp handed the 19-year-old two Champions League starts before the turn of the year, and also gave him Premier League minutes against Arsenal and Tottenham.

Klopp has shown his trust in the youngster, who some see as an eventual long-term successor to the Reds' current midfield crop. Indeed, the manager's comments to the Merseyside-born player give an idea of the faith he already has.

"He [Klopp] told me to control the game, calm it down a bit, get everyone on the ball, get playing, show what I've got," Morton told LFCTV after his league debut. And I think that's what I've done a little bit, I feel like I've got plenty more to come and hopefully I can showcase that soon."

Kaide Gordon

Three of Liverpool's goals against Shrewsbury were scored by seasoned pros, with Fabinho scoring twice and Roberto Firmino also on target. However, the equaliser at Anfield was the work of young star Gordon.

The forward was just 16 when he made his Championship debut for Derby County in 2020, prompting Liverpool to swoop. And, after a fast start, the Reds agreed a six-figure sum with the Rams to buy out the teenager's sell-on clause.

Gordon was also handed a Premier League debut in January. With Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane away at the Africa Cup of Nations, he was handed a run-out from the bench during a 3-0 victory over Brentford.

Max Woltman

While Gordon started out wide against Shrewsbury, Woltman was the central attacker in a front three. The Wirral-born striker had made his debut in the Champions League in December, and played 45 minutes against the Shrews after the turn of the year.

The 19-year-old has been with the Reds' academy since the age of seven, moving up through the ranks. After earning his first senior minutes this season, he has been rewarded with a new contract with his boyhood club.

"Dream come true to make my Champions League Debut for my childhood club," Woltman wrote on social media after appearing against Milan. "Really Proud moment for me and my family! Grateful for the opportunity."