Our 'new' stars of the future

Mike Marsh's youngsters have netted 34 goals in eight matches and look capable of a similar title tilt to the one Rodolfo Borrell's side embarked upon last term.

There's a whole host of fresh new talent to get to know - and, as ever, Liverpoolfc.tv attempts to get you up-to-date with a bite-size introduction to our U18 squad ahead of the curtain-raiser with Cardiff City on Saturday morning.

 Click here to check out our new-look Academy-reserves section>>

Peter Aylmer - Midfielder

A solid and consistent performer, Aylmer's versatility could see him more involved with the U18s this season. The second year scholar has a strong, competitive nature and is comfortable at centre back, in central midfield and at right back.

Yalany Baio - Defensive midfielder

Yalany Baio is a highly-rated defensive midfielder who arrived at the Academy from Portugal in January 2011. The diminutive starlet is right out of the Claude Makelele-mould and is seen as a bright prospect by staff in Kirkby. Tough in the tackle with a range of passing, Baio originates from Guinea-Bissau.

Jack Dunn - Attacking midfielder

Jack Dunn is an all-round midfielder who excelled as captain of the U16s last season. The scouser has earned rave reviews for his repertoire of passing and has featured for England at youth level. He was one of seven Liverpool Academy players who travelled to the U17 World Cup in the summer.

Kristjan Emilsson - Striker

A towering presence with an eye for goal, Emilsson arrived at the Academy in January 2010 from Icelandic outfit HF. The youngster prefers to play in a role just off the striker and has featured for his country at U17, U18 and U19 level. He opted to move to Kirkby after turning down a host of Europe's top clubs and capped his first year in Rodolfo Borrell's side with the winner at Manchester United. Injuries would curtail his involvement for the majority of 2010-11 but he did enjoy what is arguably the highlight of his Reds career so far, when he netted a brace in a 3-1 Youth Cup success over Crystal Palace at Anfield.

Sam Gainford - winger

Sam Gainford is a tricky winger who is comfortable on either flank. The youngster can also operate in a central attacking role and was a regular contributor of goals and assist during his time with the U16s. Gainford has been at the Academy since the age of 10 and is now a first year scholar.

Adam Hajdu - Midfielder

A technically gifted midfielder with a keen eye for a pass, Hajdu arrived at the Academy in the summer of 2010. The Hungarian, who has represented his country at U16, U17 and U18 level, is equally adept at left-back and is regarded as a player with great vision and creativity. He recovered from a broken leg to feature towards the end of the 2010-11 campaign and will be aiming to make a big impression under Mike Marsh this year.

Lewis Hatch - Midfielder

A tidy midfield player with a good range of passing, Hatch is a youngster who has struggled with injury in recent years. The Liverpool-born youngster has a strong work ethic and a good passing ability and could prove to be an important squad player if he can enjoy an injury-free spell.

Tom King - Left back

An athletic player who is comfortable at left back or in central defence, King joined the Academy in the autumn of 2010. The second year scholar was born in Norway but moved to Australia following three years living in England. The teenager is highly thought of by staff at the Academy and has a strong work ethic with good technique. He is slowly beginning to adapt to the rigours of Academy football after making the move back to England in early 2010. King represented Australia at the 2011 U17 World Cup.

Jordan Lussey - Midfielder

Jordan Lussey is a highly-rated central midfielder with a sublime range of passing. The youngster earned call-ups for both England U16s and U17s last season but was forced to withdraw from the squads due to injury.

Ryan McLaughlin - Right-back

Ryan McLaughlin is a Northern Ireland international who signed in at the Academy in the summer of 2011. Ferocious in the tackle, the full-back is a determined competitor and a stylish attacker. He has represented his country at U16, U17 and U18 level.

Yusuf Mersin - Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper Yusuf Mersin arrived at the Academy in January 2011. The former Millwall stopper has represented Turkey at U16 and U17 level and is a commanding presence in the penalty area. He is a popular figure in Kirkby who is relishing his first season with the U18s.

David Moli - Striker

David Moli is an out-and-out centre forward who signed from Luton Town in 2009. The towering striker has represented England at U16 level and scored several goals during the Victory Shield. He was a prolific marksman for Liverpool U16s last season.

Adam Morgan - Striker

A talented forward with a prolific strike rate, Morgan was the U18s' top scorer during the 2010-11 season. The young scouser fired 21 goals as the Reds finished runners-up in the league. He also grabbed an Anfield brace in a Youth Cup defeat to Manchester United and featured for the reserves in a season that concluded with a run-out at the U17 World Cup with England.

Henoc Mukendi - Striker

A talented attacker who originally hails from DR Congo, Mukendi signed in at the Academy in 2007. Now a second year scholar with British citizenship, the teenager is equally happy playing as a traditional No.9 or in a wide left position. The forward was not a regular starter in 2010-11 but came close to making one of the biggest contributions of the season when he struck a double to put the Reds 2-1 up in the final home match of the season against Wolves. However, the visitors struck a late equaliser to snare a 2-2 draw and deny Liverpool the title.

Kristoffer Peterson - Winger

Kristoffer Peterson joined the Academy from Swedish side, A Savedalens IF in January 2011. The right winger was an impressive performer in the U16 side last season, catching the eye with his pace and flair. He has represented his country at various youth levels.

Nathan Quirk - Midfielder

Nathan Quirk is an attacking midfielder who arrived at the Academy at the age of nine. The technically gifted youngster can operate in a variety of positions but prefers to play in a role just off the striker.

Joe Rafferty - Defender

A local youngster with strong leadership skills, Rafferty has all the attributes Liverpool fans would want in a scouse defender. The second year scholar is predominantly a centre back but has featured mainly at right back and promises to be a strong player in the U18 squad this season.

Matty Regan - Defender

Signed from Wrexham in 2009, Regan captained Liverpool's U16 team before assuming a place as a valuable squad player for the U18s last term. The tough tackling centre back will be hoping to be a more regular starter under Mike Marsh. He also made a couple of cameo appearances for the reserves at the end of 2010-11. Competitive and strong in the air, Regan also possesses a good range of passing and has featured for England's youth sides at high profile tournaments, including the U17 World Cup in Mexico in 2011.

Josh Sumner - Midfielder

Technically gifted with the ability to supply defence splitting passes, Sumner is a clever midfielder who can also operate as a second striker. The Liverpool-born starlet was not a regular starter for the U18s last season and will be hoping to feature more in Mike Marsh's new-look outfit.

Connor Wearing - Goalkeeper

Connor Wearing is a highly-regarded goalkeeper who joined the Academy at the age of 11. He will battle it out with Yusuf Mersin for the No.1 goalkeeping jersey.

Michael Wilson - Defender

Michael Wilson is a solid centre back who joined the Academy at the age of 12. A talented defender who is strong in the air, Wilson is also known for his ability to bring the ball out of defence. He can also operate at right-back.