Starlet scoring in U21 fixture emphasises depth ISSUE | OneFootball

Starlet scoring in U21 fixture emphasises depth ISSUE | OneFootball

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Anfield Watch

·26 August 2024

Starlet scoring in U21 fixture emphasises depth ISSUE

Article image:Starlet scoring in U21 fixture emphasises depth ISSUE

With the transfer window in its final week more Liverpool academy prospects are expected to leave permanently or on loan.

Ben Doak, Tyler Morton, Kaide Gordon, Stefan Bajcetic, James McConnell, Callum Scanlon, Owen Beck and Marcelo Pitaluga were all left out of the 2-1 defeat to Leicester.


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This meant that manager Barry Lewtas was forced to pick a young side for the second Premier League 2 fixture.

Nyoni scores in defeat

Lewtas had to rely on prospects Trey Nyoni, Amara Nallo and Kieran Morrison, who despite their inexperience didn't fold when they went behind due to an Amani Richards header.

Instead, they worked their way into the match and equalised thanks to Nyoni’s calm finish as Liverpool capitalised on an error at the back from the visitors.

Article image:Starlet scoring in U21 fixture emphasises depth ISSUE

Leicester were awarded a controversial penalty before the end of the first half which was saved by Kornel Misciur.

With Harvey Elliott watching from the sidelines, Liverpool went behind again with 30 minutes to go as Richards scored his second for the Foxes.

Lewtas brought on  Michael Laffey, Terence Miles and talented attacker Trent Kone-Doherty for Nyoni Lee Jonas and Ranel Young, emphasising the lack of more seasoned youngsters.

What does this mean for Liverpool?

Should a number of these departures take place before the August 30 deadline, it could leave the squad threadbare should injuries occur both within the U21 side and the first-team.

A number of Liverpool's academy players were crucial in last season's Carabao Cup win, stepping up during an injury crisis that had left Jürgen Klopp's squad threadbare during the winter period.

Liverpool have just signed 16-year-old wonderkid Alvin Ayman from Wolves on a five year deal but that won't be enough to keep the young side a float.

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