Liverpool have seen plenty of academy talents show promise at a young age but not all of them have made it to the top
Jordan Rossiter at Liverpool
Jordan Rossiter was a rising star at Liverpool but things didn't go to plan(Image: Liverpool Echo)
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Since Steven Gerrard left Liverpool in 2015, fans have remained hopeful of finding a natural heir to the former captain. Merseyside-born midfielder Jordan Rossiter was one of those deemed to have the potential, but his career hasn't gone as hoped.
Rossiter was on target on his Reds debut under Brendan Rodgers, opening the scoring in a League Cup game against Middlesbrough which ended with the Reds winning 14-13 on penalties. His league bow came shortly after Gerrard's departure, with Rodgers giving him 14 minutes in a goalless draw with Arsenal in August 2015.
The starlet, once described by Robbie Fowler as "potentially a young Stevie G," was an unused substitute for Rodgers' final game in October of that year and was ready to show new manager Jurgen Klopp what he could do. Before that opportunity arrived, though, he was injured playing for England's Under-19s and Klopp was left frustrated by the Young Lions' use of the midfielder.
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"Rossiter is a special story. I have never heard about a player of 18 years having to play three games in five days," Klopp said (it was actually three games in six days).
"That was the problem and that's why he got injured. Now he is injured and we have to wait for him. I don't think he will be ready to play until after the next international break.
"I don't know who I have to talk to about this. But I will find a way to talk with somebody about this. Three games in five days is not OK. We need him at this moment. He's a young player and a big talent. It would be good for him if he was now with us, but he can't be. That's the situation.
"On my first day I didn't want to have a call with someone with the FA but for sure this is not OK. These young players are our future. If we handle them like horses, we will get horses."
Jordan Rossiter celebrates his first senior goal
Rossiter scored on his senior Reds debut(Image: Liverpool Echo)
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The youngster returned in December, coming off the bench in a Europa League game against Sion. However, he suffered a hamstring injury in Switzerland, with reports at the time indicating it was not the same hamstring he had previously injured on international duty.
Sadly for Rossiter, the Sion game would end up being his only appearance for Liverpool under Klopp. He moved to Rangers in the summer of 2016 but saw more injury woe there as a calf problem restricted him to just six games in his first season.
He would end up playing just 16 times in total for the Scottish side, with another calf injury restricting his involvement in the second and third years at Ibrox. However, he was able to rebuild his career in the English lower leagues - including spells under Joey Barton at Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers.
Rossiter left England again in 2025 after his release from Shrewsbury Town. After a brief stint in Ireland with Waterford he decided to try his luck in the United States, joining second-tier side Sporting JAX where his former Rangers boss Mark Warburton serves as head of soccer.
Jordan Rossiter at Sporting JAX
Rossiter joined Sporting JAX ahead of the 2026 season(Image: Sporting JAX)
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The USL team have former Livingston midfielder Liam Fox as their manager and the Scot has recruited heavily from Europe. Rossiter, now 29, joined as part of a triple swoop of former Premier League academy talents alongside ex-West Ham prospect Kieran Sadlier and one-time Spurs hopeful Rafferty Pedder.
“The opportunity that Sporting JAX presents excites me,” Rossiter said upon joining the club ahead of their inaugural season. “This is a unique project to be part of, and with figures like Mark Warburton involved, I’m looking forward to lacing up for the club this season.”
Rossiter made his debut in a 1-1 draw away to Rhode Island FC in March. Sporting JAX have endured a tough start to the season and are winless through their first eight matches but there is no relegation from the USL Championship in its current format.
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