Liverpool’s failed wonderkids include Neil Mellor, who downed Arsenal, ‘next Messi’ Bruna and winger Richie Partridge – The Sun

EUROPEAN champions Liverpool have always had a rich history of producing talent.

The likes of Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard and most recently Trent Alexander-Arnold have all come through the academy to grace Anfield and thrill the Reds' faithful.

But for every McManaman and Carragher, there's a Bruna or Patridge who failed to make the grade with the Premier League giants.

'NEXT MESSI'

When Liverpool secured the signature of Argentine midfielder Gerardo Bruna from Real Madrid in 2008, Los Blancos were furious.

Dubbed the 'next Messi' the La Liga side had high hopes for their playmaker, offering him a first team contract.

But he snubbed them believing he would have a better chance of first team football in England.

"My father agreed with me that moving here would be a great opportunity," he said at the time.

"I already knew about Liverpool from the Champions League, the final we won and the final we lost.

"These games, as well as the Chelsea semi-finals, made a big impression on me."

Armed with a clever left foot, the set-piece specialist helped Liverpool win the Premier Reserve League in 2007-08.

But three years later he was headed to Blackpool, where he was released after just two years and six appearances.

Spells at Huesca, Tranmere Rovers, semi-pro team Whitehawk, Accrington Stanley, and Ottawa Fury followed.

Bruna currently plays for Irish side Derry City.

NEIL MELLOR

Expectation on talented youngsters can be cruel.

And it can get worse when you score a stunning winner to beat Arsenal's 'Invincibles' in a 2-1 win.

Sheffield-born Mellor, who looked remarkably like Steven Gerrard, also helped Liverpool progress from the group stages of the 2004–05 Champions League scoring and setting up a goal against Olympiacos.

But loan moves to West Ham and Wigan flattered to deceive, and despite finding his feet at Preston with 38 goals in 130 games, his career at Sheffield Wednesday was cut short after a knee injury from a tackle by Milton Keynes striker Jabo Ibehre.

He now works as a match reporter on Sky Sports.

RICHIE PARTRIDGE

Liverpool have always boasted a strong Irish connection.

From Ronnie Whelan to Ray Houghton to Steve Staunton to Steve Heighway, the Emerald Isle has been kind to the Reds.

And in the 90s through to the noughties they were raving about a lightning-quick winger from Dublin, who could beat a man with ease with the drop of a shoulder and had an eye for goal.

In fact, he was seen as promising as Michael Owen, who he played with in Liverpool's youth teams before marrying Owen's sister, Lesley.

But unfortunately, injuries took their toll. At 18 he suffered his first cruciate knee ligament injury.

Then, at 22 wrecked his other knee and he knew then a career at the top level was unlikely.

Partridge finished his career at Welsh part-timers Airbus UK Broughton, before returning to Liverpool where he now works as a physio with the first team.

JORDY BROUWER

In 2007, manager Rafa Benitez looked to the future with his January transfer window signings – luring the skilful Dutch forward schooled by Ajax's academy.

"We've made a good signing for the future in Jordy," club chief executive Rick Parry said at the time.

"He had a youth contract at Ajax, but opted to build his career at Liverpool. We've monitored his progress and look forward to developing his potential."

Brouwer showed promise in Liverpool's reserves, but failed to make a senior appearance in the first team.

In 2011 he returned back to Holland with ADO Den Haag, but failed to pull up trees there.

Two years later tens of kilos of cannabis were found in the basement of Brouwers' house, however he was cleared of all changes in 2014.

Now 31, he is playing for Dutch fourth division side Delfia Hollandia Combinatie.

RAFAEL PAEZ

Brought in from Real Madrid in 2013 by Brendan Rodgers, Paez was a strapping 6ft 4in centre half – reportedly in the mould of Miguel Angel Nadal.

The defender played 15 times in Liverpool's reserves alongside Lloyd Jones scoring twice.

But, with competition fierce, Paez never appeared in the first team.

The Spaniard went on loan to Serie B side Bologna, before an administration error blocked another loan move to Eibar in 2015.

That same year second division Spanish side Alcorcon bought him, and in three years he played 18 times.

A move to Deportivo Alaves in 2018 failed to produce any appearances, and he plays for French second division team Sochaux aged 25.

PAUL ANDERSON

The Liverpool starlet was another one who had to go to the lower divisions after failing to fulfil his potential.

Originally brought in from Hull City, the winger was quick and direct and was hailed as an answer to the club's problems out wide.

The buzz around him heightened when he was part of the side that won the FA Youth Cup in 2006 – beating a Man City team that featured Daniel Sturridge and Micah Richards.

Loan spells at Swansea and Nottingham Forest improved his stock – but Rafa Benitez decided it was time to move him on.

In 2009 he made the permanent move to the City Ground.

Anderson has become somewhat of a journeyman ever since, enjoying spells at Bristol City, Ipswich Town, Bradford City, Northampton Town, Mansfield Town, and Plymouth Argyle, who released him this year.

As of today, he is a free agent.

JEROME SINCLAIR

A former England Under-17 international, there was huge fanfare around Sinclair after he made his debut for the Reds aged 16 years and six days in 2012.

In fact, he is still Liverpool's youngest ever debutant.

He starred for Liverpool's Under-18s, but his progress was interrupted by niggling injuries.

And in 2016 he scored his first goal for the senior side in a FA Cup tie against Exeter City.

However, Liverpool felt that he wasn't good enough for their first team and decided to cash in on their talent in 2016 after Watford bid £4m for his services.

Since then, he has had loans at Sunderland and Oxford United, where he hasn't shone as well as expected.

The 22-year-old is currently on loan at Dutch side VVV-Venlo.

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