https://www.teamtalk.com/news/the-scout-set-piece-king-jake-cain-save-liverpool-fortune
[article]In our relaunched weekly Scout feature, we take a deep dive into an emerging player on track to become a footballing superstar before our very eyes.
This week’s edition focuses on
Liverpool midfielder and ‘set piece king’ Jake Cain, a player destined to save the club millions in the years to come…
Player Profile
Wigan-born Cain, 19, signed his first professional contract with the Reds in 2019 after rising through the club’s youth ranks.
He played a key role in their successful FA Youth Cup campaign of 2018-19 in a team that boasted current first-teamers Rhys Williams and Neco Williams.
Cain made his senior first-team debut for the club in their FA Cup fourth-round replay victory over Shrewsbury Town last season. That particular line-up was the youngest Liverpool have ever fielded in a competitive fixture, but the only thing young about Cain on that day was his appearance.
His rapid rise and transferable skillset has seen him awarded a spot on the bench of each of Liverpool’s three Champions League group stage matches in the current campaign.
Why the hype?
The first thing you’ll notice when watching Cain is just
how simple he makes the game look. A common appraisal of midfield maestros the likes of Xavi and David Silva has been their ability to control the tempo and never appear rushed.
Despite his tender years, the classy Cain already possesses an innate ability to make the right decision 99 times from 100, regardless of the opposition’s best attempts to stifle him.
He possesses an exemplary first touch and will always seek to play forward if the situation allows. If not, he has already shown the calmness and composure required to shelve his ego and keep it short and simple.
Describing his natural ability to carve open defences, Cain said in a June interview with the club’s official website:
“Since a young age I’ve been a very good passer. I can see passes which the opposition can’t defend really well. I like to get into positions where I’m behind the defence and thread balls through.”
But
his most eye-catching attribute is undoubtedly those deadly set pieces.
Concede a free kick within 30 yards of goal at your peril. Cain can (and has) tucked them away from just about anywhere.
Reminds you of a young…?
Early comparisons have been made between himself and Jordan Henderson, but whether he develops the drive, determination and leadership that typify a Henderson performance won’t become clear in his formative years at elite level. His current body size and shape certainly don’t lend themselves to comparisons with such a robust performer right now.
Instead, his technical prowess reminds us of the Chelsea iteration of Juan Mata.
The Spaniard scooped up back-to-back club player of the year awards while with The Blues as his pinpoint set pieces and precision through balls racked up 30 league assists across a two-year span.
Cain too appears destined to excel in the role of provider, though
with three goals to his name from seven Premier League 2 matches this season, expect him to contribute his fair share of goals along the way, à la Phil Foden.
A quite outstanding 19 assists from 42 league appearances have been notched with Liverpool’s various youth teams over the last three years.
Cue a wide grin forming on the faces of Messrs Mane and Salah as we speak.[/article]
