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With Virgil van Dijk a rock in defence and Gini Wijnaldum a bundle of energy in midfield, Liverpool's evolution under Jurgen Klopp has owed much to a Dutch influence.

And the Reds have another star from the Netherlands now as Ki-Jana Hoever was forced to make his Liverpool debut after just five minutes at Wolves when Dejan Lovren went down with an injury.

The 16-year-old, who can play at full-back or centre-back, has massively impressed the manager since being promoted to Melwood last month.

The former Ajax youngster was called up from the Kirkby Academy due to the Reds' defensive injury problems.

Barely two months after being given international clearance to start his Liverpool career, Hoever has been training with the first team at Melwood.

Klopp, though, isn't the only one to have been hugely impressed.

Ever since his transfer from Ajax was made official, 16-year-old Hoever has underlined he isn't one for wasting time.

Read why Hoever has been training with the first team HERE

The youngster made his first Liverpool appearance in a 4-1 win for the under-18s against Newcastle on September 15.

Three days later, he was given a brief outing in the Reds' opening UEFA Youth League clash at home to Paris Saint-Germain that ended in a 5-2 triumph.

By the end of the group stage, he was playing the full 90 minutes in the 5-0 romp over Napoli that sealed Liverpool's place in the knockout stages.

While a right-back by reputation, that deciding game saw the teenager dominate the Italian strikeforce from centre-back, oozing the calmness and quality that meant Liverpool had to fend off interest from a clutch of European clubs – including Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea – to snare his signature.

It has been typical of Hoever's progression, the Dutchman this season having scored three goals in five appearances for Holland U17s.

Tall, fast, composed, comfortable in possession, with fine distribution and impressive awareness, the teenager has made it difficult for the Reds to keep a lid on his bubbling potential.

“I don't want to sell him too much,” said Barry Lewtas, coach of Liverpool's U18s, shortly after Hoever's arrival. “He's early in his journey here, he'll take some time to adapt.

“What I can say is that he's trained really well and I know he's going to fit in really well.

Watch Hoever score for former club Ajax

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“We are all keeping our feet on the floor with him. He’s still got a lot to do, sometimes you can ride the wave when you first get into teams, but he knows it’s a long process.

“He’s very mature, he’s a good boy and he knows he’s got lots to improve on.”

By the end of November, Hoever had been handed his U23s debut, in the mini-derby at Goodison no less.

That he emerged with a victory and a glowing tribute from U23s boss Neil Critchley spoke volumes.

“Unbelievable. Sixteen. Wow,” said Critchley. “I thought his calmness and assurance, his decision-making, his intelligence without the ball, it was terrific.

“I was very impressed with him indeed.”

(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Hoever has made further appearances at right-back for the U23s and earned rave reviews for his part in the 4-1 thumping of reigning Premier League 2 champions Arsenal last month.

Hoever only turns 17 in January, the Liverpool coaching staff keen to give him the opportunity to develop at his own pace.

That, though, is clearly almost as rapid as his forward raids.

Indeed, anyone who has witnessed him in action will agree Hoever is in danger of becoming Liverpool's briefest, worst-kept secret.