This article is part of Football FanCast's In The Pipeline series, which takes a look at some of the most promising young talent either linked with clubs or emerging from their academies...

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Joe Gomez.

There was a time when the 22-year-old was a regular starter for Liverpool. During the 2017/18 season, he made 21 starts in the Premier League for the Reds, with his displays even earning him his first call-up to the England squad at the start of the campaign. However, an ankle injury which led to the former Charlton defender needing surgery has seen him drop down to perhaps the fourth-choice centre-back for Jurgen Klopp, whilst Trent Alexander-Arnold is unlikely to ever be dislodged at right-back.

His lack of playing time - he has started just seven matches in all competitions so far this term - is said to have him considering his future at Anfield, with Arsenal having been linked with his services. Should he depart, he would be a big loss given his versatility - according to Transfermarkt he has played a similar amount of games both at the heart and on the right of the back four - and with Dejan Lovren already 30 and Joel Matip 28, he would be in line to be a regular in the future alongside Virgil van Dijk.

If he were to leave, though, the Reds may already his replacement on their books. Just like Gomez, Ki-Jana Hoever can play in both of those positions, which could see him be a valuable member of the first-team squad in the future.

Even aged just 17, the Netherlands U17 international has already made two appearances for the Merseyside club, and he even scored against MK Dons in the League Cup. Having come through Ajax's academy, he has a strong pedigree, and he has played regularly for Liverpool's various youth sides since joining in 2018.

On the international stage, he has already shown that he has what it takes. He started all but one match in the U17 European Championships earlier this year, scoring once and providing two assists, as the Oranje won the tournament. Hoever earned himself a place in the team of the tournament.

He also started all but one of their matches in the U17 World Cup, scoring against Paraguay in the quarter-finals. Those, and many other eye-catching performances, have drawn some top praise from those in the know. Neil Critchley, Liverpool's U23 coach was shocked by Hoever's Premier League 2 debut, saying: "Unbelievable. Sixteen years old? Just… wow, really!"

Jurgen Klopp, too, has eulogised about the teenager. He said: "It’s just a joy to watch him. He’s an incredible, confident, young fella and he’s really a good player on top. That we can see him day in, day out is really cool."

There must be a reason, after all, as to why he has been called the "new van Dijk". A big comparison to live up to, of course, but if he continues progressing as he has done, then there is no reason why he won't be able to reach the ceiling of the sport.

Meanwhile, Liverpool fans react to this internet leak.