Nah, not buying this. His talent was there for all to see, you'd have to be stupid not to give him a chance. If you're good enough, every manager will give you opportunities. Hudson-Odoi and Foden are also playing quite regularly now and they're 2 years younger than TAA is.
He was a midfielder in the youth ranks but it was known that he could also be used as a RB, just like Gerrard in his early days. I hope he shifts back to midfield sooner or later but there's no urgency given how well he's doing at RB. That position is basically a winger in our team as well given how advanced/to the inside Salah is usually positioned, and with his delivery and crossing ability, every manager in the world would give him the opportunity to prove himself - especially if you keep in mind that he first got his big chance from Klopp when Clyne was out injured and Gomez was used at CB.
Credit Klopp with developing him all you like, but sometimes young players are simply talented enough to be picked, and that's the end of it. It's really not like Klopp discovered him on his own in the youth teams and boldly decided to play him or anything like that.