KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 31, 2019: Liverpool's Jack Cain during the Under-18 FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United at the Liverpool Academy. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Impressive progress rewarded as Jake Cain signs first professional deal with Liverpool

Liverpool have handed a first professional contract to under-18s midfielder Jake Cain, who has made a hugely impressive start to the 2019/20 campaign.

One of the key midfield components of last season’s FA Youth Cup triumph, Cain is again a cornerstone of Barry Lewtas‘ squad this term at U18 level.

While that squad is much-changed for this year, he—along with Leighton Clarkson—have begun this year showing their quality is well-suited to following the likes of Paul Glatzel and Yasser Larouci in taking a step up toward the under-23s soon.

Cain is also a regular in the under-19 UEFA Youth League side, starting all seven of those fixtures last season.

His eye for a pass and creative influence were often felt last term as he racked up 13 assists in his 30 games, as well as scoring three times—a tally he has already matched in front of goal in 2019/20 after a superb early run of form.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Thursday, April 25, 2019: Liverpool's captain Paul Glatzel lifts the cup after winning the FA Youth Cup Final match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at the Academy Stadium. Liverpool won 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)2

A recent outing for the U18s against Man United saw Cain serve notice of both his current confidence and his great promise.

The Reds triumphed 4-3 after a back-and-forth game, with Cain providing two assists in that match.

Now his progress has been rightly rewarded and his future is secure at the club—he has been at Liverpool since age nine—and he can focus on improving even further.

Cain is likely to next be in action on Tuesday afternoon, as the young Reds face their Napoli counterparts in the UEFA Youth League, with a 1pm kickoff ahead of the senior side’s fixture against the same Italian opposition.