Bobby Clark's progress at Liverpool has been nothing short of remarkable since the 17-year-old left Tyneside to join the Reds last year.
In that time, the son of former Toon star Lee Clark has made his Premier League debut and started in the League Cup this term with clubs eager to sign him on loan when the January window opens for business. Preston North End have been keeping an eye on the teenager but he is likely to stay around Klopp's first-team squad and is currently in Dubai with the Kop side.
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Clark's exit was one of the final mistakes of the Mike Ashley era and his exit - for a compensation fee - was a painful one for supporters eager to see the next big thing progress to the big stage at St James' Park. Affectionately known as "Geordie Bob" by Klopp, the youngster is finding his feet at Anfield.
Clark said this week: "Obviously it was tough moving from my hometown at the start but I've settled in really well now. I came here and I've been given opportunities already, which I'm grateful for. Hopefully, I can carry on getting them."
Klopp is also intrigued by the player that Newcastle reportedly received £1.5million for. With Liverpool in Dubai for the World Cup break, the German boss said: "Bobby Clark, really interesting player, obviously here with us – like the others as well."
Ashworth must ensure that the club's best young players a clear pathway to first-team success in order to avoid a repeat of Clark's exit last year. But Clark's exit came before both the Saudi-backed takeover and the arrival of the ex-Brighton supremo.
The Magpies are certainly in a better place when it comes to holding on to the best talent. And there's no doubt that had Ashworth been in position at the time his departure probably wouldn't have happened.
Ashworth, speaking at the club's round table event in October, said: "I think I'd be lying if I said that (a player like Clark leaving) will never happen again. "Ultimately, what you can't control are different reasons why players want to go to a club. It might pathway, it might be money. It might be family situated or a link in with that particular city or that particular country.
"I think the more you can make players feel valued, the more you can give them evidence of a pathway to a first-team and the more the club are striving towards the targets we'd like to achieve, that gives a story and a reason for a young player or senior player to stay and be part of that journey."
On Clark's exit, Ashworth said: "I don't know the situation around Bobby. "I don't know the detail around it but ultimately our goal is to make sure we do attract and retain the talent and manage that talent better than anybody else."
The Newcastle supremo is overlooking the Under-21 set-up at the Academy and eager to start producing talent to bolster Eddie Howe's first-team. United striker Dylan Stephenson is the latest star to grab the headlines over in Saudi Arabia last week after he netted in the 5-0 win over Al-Hilal.
When asked about the flow of young players coming through to bolster Howe's first-team, Ashworth said: "It's difficult to put timescales on anything. In youth development, you get some youth age groups that are exceptional, your U16s might be a really good group. Another age group might not be so good, you might have three or four who could make it that one and not much in that one.
"There's a couple of things, it is about getting the young players in the building that have the potential to play in the Premier League. It is about managing them and giving them the right coaching pathway."
Certainly getting youngsters out on loan is high on the list and Stephenson, along with the likes of Alex Murphy and Lewis Milley, spent time with loan manager Shola Ameobi in the Middle East. Ashworth said: "Game stimulus which could be with our U21s or could be on loan with Shola.
"Also giving them the pathway through. There are multiple examples of where clubs across the country where the Academy is full of talent but there's no way through. A change of owner, a change of manager or a club getting relegated or go into administration and all of a sudden these players come through.
"And it's: 'Blimey didn't we have a load of good players in the Academy!' They haven't just suddenly landed there it's about joining up pathways. All I can do is say to you I am a former Academy manager and I am really passionate about giving young players an opportunity.
"But they have got to be good enough. Football will decide if they are good enough or not but what we have to do as a club is give them the right people, the right coaching and the right pathway. And give them the opportunity to play - if they are good enough - to play in the top half of the Premier League."
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