Liverpool confirms new contract for talented midfielder as progress rewarded

Liverpool has confirmed that one of its youth players has signed his first professional contract with the club after taking some important steps in his progression this season

Joe Upton of Liverpool in action during an FA Youth Cup game.(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Young Liverpool midfielder Joe Upton has signed his first professional contract with the Anfield side, who he has represented since the age of six, with his progression this season being rewarded.

A box-to-box player with a strong work ethic and plenty of energy, the 18-year-old is often positioned in front of the defense to break up the play and set attacks away with a good range of passing and an ability to intercept.

Upton has been the Liverpool U18s captain several times this season, impressing under new head coach Simon Wiles, who took over from Marc Bridge-Wilkinson last summer.

An England youth international, Upton has also appeared in all seven of Liverpool’s UEFA Youth League games this term. The young Reds reached the knockout stage before being eliminated by the Slovakian team Zilina last month.

"It’s an amazing feeling," Upton told club media. "I’m so proud to sign for my boyhood club. Nearly 13 years at the club now. It’s a massive achievement for me and my family, and I’m so proud of everything.

"The biggest thing is just to get into the U21s at the minute and then hopefully kick on next season, have a really good season and just enjoy my football."

Liverpool under-18 head coach Simon Wiles(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Upton is yet to make his debut at the U21s level, but he will be unable to play for the U18s age group next season.

Liverpool also confirmed a first professional contract for striker Finn Inglethorpe earlier this month. He is the son of academy director Alex Inglethorpe.

The Reds' U18s have four more games to play this season, with Nottingham Forest up next. The U21s finished their league season last weekend, losing 5-1 to Crystal Palace, and will take part in the Premier League 2 play-offs next.

Speaking to reporters, including from Liverpool.com, recently, U21s boss Rob Page outlined his plans to develop young players who are better suited to the rigors of the senior game.

"Coming from an experience of being a manager — a league club manager — and having worked with lads in League One and League Two at the time before I went on to work with Wales, I thought there was a lack of intensity and a lack of realism [in academy soccer]," he said.

"So I wasn't a fan of going to get young players from under-21s, but I want managers to look at our team today and I think they will. We've had a couple of performances, we've had behind-closed-doors friendlies against the likes of Wrexham and Sheffield United, and a lot of the first-team players, and we've more than matched them and held our own.

"I want managers to look at us and go, right, it's a bit more real, so we will go and have a look at what Liverpool have got, and if Liverpool don't see them to develop for themselves, then we'll absolutely take them because they give performances."