Jayden Danns, Lewis Koumas and Bobby Clark are making headlines at Liverpool, not just for their FA Cup heroics but for their famous fathers. The trio, who all featured in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Southampton, are sons of former Premier League professionals Neil Danns, Jason Koumas and Lee Clark respectively. They are part of a growing trend at Liverpool's academy, which also includes Keyrol Figueroa (son of Maynor Figueroa) and Prince Kobe Cissé (son of Djibril Cissé).
Academy director Alex Inglethorpe told the Guardian that signing children of former players is not a deliberate strategy. 'If former players settle in the area, the club is perhaps an obvious touchpoint for them,' he said. 'It's a natural assumption that as the son of a former player, they are going to grow up in a footballing environment and possibly have an interest in the sport. That, combined with athletic genes, means it's not surprising that they end up being good.'
Inglethorpe emphasised that the sons are treated as individuals to avoid adding pressure. 'I speak to them regularly, on and off the pitch. Unless they want to talk about their fathers, I try not to reference it as I feel it can be a burden,' he explained. 'They are people in their own rights.'
Bobby Clark's transfer from Newcastle for £1.5m was notable, with his father Lee revealing Liverpool's detailed knowledge of the midfielder sealed the deal. 'He was just blown away by how much in-depth knowledge Liverpool had of him,' Lee told the Echo. Inglethorpe noted that Lee was 'hugely respectful' and not involved in contract negotiations, adding: 'There comes a time when you've got to let them be.'
