With Curtis Jones out of contract in just over a year - and no breakthrough as yet over a new deal - there are fears among supporters that Liverpool will be left without “a Scouser in our team”.
Jones, 25, has been left with that mantle following the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold. But with Jones primed for a summer sale - perhaps to Manchester City - the Anfield side could be left without local representation on the pitch.
However news has broken that Liverpool-born youngster Dj Esdaille has signed his first-ever professional contract with the Reds.
“DJ Esdaille has signed his first professional contract with Liverpool FC,” reads the official Liverpool website.
“The 18-year-old Scouser is a second-year scholar with Simon Wiles’ U18 squad.”
Esdaille joined Liverpool from grassroots football as a 10-year-old - making solid progress through the youth and academy sides.
Following a frustrating campaign with injury this contract is a real show of faith from the Merseysiders in one of their own - and Esdaille will now be hoping to kick on into the under-21 picture.
DJ Esdaille is an 18-year-old Scouser and attack-minded right-back making waves in Liverpool’s academy. A second-year scholar, he has already earned his first professional contract and is seen internally as one of the standout defenders in the U18 group.
Defensively, he is regarded as a strong 1v1 operator who reads danger well and uses his pace to recover and shut down wide threats.
His numbers at U18 level point to high duel volume and a solid success rate, underlining that he is a defender first, not just a winger converted into a full-back.
In possession, he offers real thrust from deep, overlapping aggressively, dribbling at opponents and consistently chipping in with assists and occasional goals.
Across U18 and U19 competitions he has maintained a steady goals-and-assists contribution per 90, impressive for a young full-back in a mixed team.
The Trent Alexander-Arnold comparisons are more about pathway than ceiling, but Esdaille’s blend of athleticism, energy and end-product fits the modern Liverpool full-back template.
The realistic next steps are to dominate U18 level over a full campaign, establish himself with the U21s and translate his game to senior-tempo football.
If he continues on this trajectory, he has a plausible medium-term route into first-team training and, eventually, cup squads.
