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Liverpool have announced new contracts for three of their most gifted Academy graduates.

Kevin Stewart, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben Woodburn have put pen to paper this week after being rewarded for their exciting progress.

Stewart and Alexander-Arnold have been handed five-year extensions on improved terms to keep them at Anfield until 2021. Woodburn’s first professional contract will be a three-year deal - the maximum length he’s allowed to sign at the age of 17.

Boss Jurgen Klopp has been the driving force behind the new contracts with negotiations led by sporting director Michael Edwards.

The long-term future of fellow youngster Ovie Ejaria was already secure with the 18-year-old midfielder, who made his Premier League debut against Watford on Sunday, signing a new four-year deal at the end of last season. He’s under contract until 2020.

(Image: PA Wire)

Stewart, who joined Liverpool on a free transfer from Tottenham in 2014, has enjoyed a remarkable rise since Klopp handed him his debut in the FA Cup tie against Exeter City back in January.

The 23-year-old midfielder has gone on to make 17 first-team appearances and firmly establish himself as a permanent member of the senior squad at Melwood.

Stewart only penned a new four-year deal in February but just nine months later he’s been handed a pay rise.

Alexander-Arnold enhanced his growing reputation with an accomplished first-team debut in last month’s EFL Cup victory over Tottenham.

The 18-year-old right-back from West Derby has been on the club’s books since the age of six. He’s now a regular at Melwood but is sent to the Academy for some sessions to aid his development.

Woodburn is another youngster whose time is divided between the club’s two training bases.

The Wales youth international attacker has long since been touted as one of the most exciting talents to emerge from the Kirkby Academy and he impressed Klopp with his contribution in pre-season.

Woodburn, who has been in the club’s youth ranks for nearly a decade, showcased his blistering potential when he scored in the friendlies against Fleetwood and Wigan. He has continued to shine for Liverpool Under-23s.

The ECHO revealed last month that the teenager from Tattenhall, near Chester, had agreed his first professional contract.

The new deals are a ringing endorsement of the work being done by Academy director Alex Inglethorpe and his staff. Klopp is committed to ensuring there is pathway to Melwood and he’s delighted by the calibre of the youngsters coming through.