Stephen Darby (32)

2008/09 Stats
Apps: 1 Goals: 0 Assists: 0
Minutes on pitch: 6 mins

Stephen Darby is one of the most highly rated youngsters in Liverpool's ranks and rightfully so. The right back has captained Liverpool's youth and reserve teams and looks the most likely understudy to Alvara Abreloa this season.

Darby's first success as a captain came in the 2006 Youth Cup where he saw off Manchester City in the two legged final. He also went on to help the side retain the Youth Cup in 2007 but this time the captain's armband was Jay Spearing's responsibility. Although Darby was the captain throughout the 2008 reserve season which saw him lift both the reserve league title and Dallas Cup trophy within a matter of months of each other.

Although Stephen has yet to make a senior game he has been on the bench in a Champions League game when Liverpool played Galatasary in the group stages of the 2006/07 campaign. Darby, who now wears the number 32 at Anfield, is on the brink of making his first team debut and with Steve Finnan's departure it's looking even more likely that it could be within the season.

Profile by Billy Green