The future's bright, the future's Red

Liverpool's iconic anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone, promises that "at the end of the storm there's a golden sky." After a turbulent beginning to the 2012/2013 season, many Kopites are hoping there is a "golden sky" of future promise emerging from the club's youth ranks.

New boss Brendan Rodgers' greatest quality, with the arguable exception of his pass and move philosophy, is his faith in youth. That faith is well-placed as well, as the club's youngsters have been fantastic so far this season, especially in attack, where they have compensated for the scarcity of senior strikers.

So, soon after Suso signed a new long-term contract and Sterling became the second youngest player to score for Liverpool in the Premier League, there is no better time to assess our talented youngsters and consider whether any of them could become serious contenders for regular starting berths in the first team in the not so distant future.

Signed from QPR in 2010 for an initial fee of £600,000, which could rise to £5 million depending on the amount of appearances he makes, Raheem Sterling remarkably featured for the first team aged just 15, as he came on as a substitute during a pre-season defeat to Borussia Moenchengladbach in 2010, although it didn't count as his senior debut.

That achievement arrived in March of this year, as Liverpool fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Wigan Athletic despite Sterling's substitute appearance. In between, Sterling raised his profile by bagging five goals in a sensational 9-0 FA Youth Cup win over Southend at Anfield.

The Jamaican born 17-year old has also progressed through the ranks with England, from under-16 to under-21 level. He was even called up for the senior squad's World Cup qualifying match versus Ukraine, although he remained an unused substitute. Consequently, Sterling has been compared to another Jamaican born England international who became a Liverpool legend; John Barnes.

Sterling slides in celebration after scoring his first senior goal

Like Barnes, Sterling is a skillful winger who threatens full backs with direct runs. His pace and low centre of gravity also make him difficult to deal with, although he may have to develop his upper-body strength if he is to cope with the physical demands the Premier League places on a player. At 5ft 7in, he is unlikely to ever pose an aerial threat, although, if his strike versus Reading is anything to go by, he does seem to have a keen eye for goal.

One certainty is that, should he come close to achieving the 84 goals managed by John Barnes in 314 games, then he'll be remembered as an Anfield legend. 

While Sterling may emulate Barnes and represent the potential re-birth of 80s style football at Anfield, Jesus Fernandez Saez is yet another impeccable attacking midfielder coming straight from the booming Spanish production line. Suso, as he is more commonly known, spurned interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona to join Liverpool from hometown team Cadiz in 2009, citing former manager Rafael Benitez as a key reason why he decided to move to Merseyside.

He played in the friendly against Borussia Moenchengladbach mentioned above, as well as Jamie Carragher's testimonial versus local rivals Everton, before experiencing competitive first team football for the first time against Young Boys in the Europa League earlier this season. Despite arguably being culpable for one of Young Boys' goals, Suso's creative brilliance was clearly on display. Hence, only three days later he appeared as a substitute against Manchester United in the Premier League.

Suso seems the perfect player for Rodgers' style of play and fluid formation, with versatility one of the attacking midfielder's key traits. His defensive game undoubtedly needs improving, although his defensive duties are likely to be kept to a minimum, allowing him to concentrate on what he does best; oozing confidence in possession, skillfully creating chances and chipping in with a goal himself on occasion.

Suso's silky skills excite Kopites

Alongside him in midfield is 20-year old Jonjo Shelvey, who has really reveled in the opportunities given to him by Rodgers. After being recalled from a loan spell with Blackpool by Kenny Dalglish, Shelvey made 16 appearances in the second half of last season. He has since gone on to achieve ten appearances so far this campaign and looks set to enjoy his finest season at the club since joining from Charlton in 2010. 

Combative and determined, Shelvey reminds me of a young Steven Gerrard both in his style of play and his attitude. His red card versus Manchester United, though, displayed his potential tempestuousness, a trait that Gerrard had to slowly faze out, and Shelvey will have to do likewise if he is to succeed at Anfield. Nonetheless, Shelvey is an exciting prospect who has the real potential to cement a place in the first team.

At right back, Liverpool appear to have a plethora of youngsters vying for the place of Glen Johnson's understudy. Martin Kelly is already essentially an established first team player, while Jon Flanagan impressed when afforded opportunities by former manager Kenny Dalglish last season, although Andre Wisdom appears to be preferred by Rodgers and has secured more game-time than his teammate. 

With five starts and one goal, Wisdom couldn't have asked for a better start to the season, in which he has put himself firmly into the first-team frame. Strong and tough in the tackle, Wisdom does the simple things well. He may not have the attacking talent of Johnson or Kelly, but he certainly has sufficient ability to compete with them, and seems to have surpassed Flanagan in the pecking order.

Eyes on the prize- Wisdom is a contender for the right back position

Ultimately, only time will tell whether or not the likes of Wisdom, Suso, Shelvey and Sterling will succeed at Anfield and become regular members of the Liverpool first team. The mere fact that so many youngsters are knocking on the proverbial door of the first team is a credit to the system set up by Benitez before he left, which is clearly churning out candidates for progression to the senior side.

With a manager who trusts in youth in the dugout and many Academy graduates fighting for first team places, the future may well be bright at Anfield.

It will always be Red....

YNWA