Wonderkid midfielder joins Liverpool first team | OneFootball

An exciting midfielder was promoted to Liverpool's first team last week.

Arne Slot has made it very clear he doesn't just hand chances to the club's youngsters on a mere whim. You need dedication and consistent performances before you can train with the first team.

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Rio Ngumoha is a perfect case in example. He's made five goal contributions in five games in pre-season and scored on his Premier League debut but Slot has still restricted his minutes on the pitch.

The Dutchman likes to work with only the very best. At Liverpool with a world-class squad that is something a young player is going to have to work very hard to reach.

But with a busy schedule in September and with a couple of injuries, Slot has given more opportunities to young players. Ngumoha saw some minutes against Burnley and Trey Nyoni made the bench.

There was another exciting midfielder given the opportunity to train with the first team.

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Last week, Slot promoted Liverpool's U21 midfielder Tommy Pilling into the first team. The 21-year-old was given an opportunity to train with the club's senior players after Curtis Jones suffered an injury during the international break.

Pilling has been at Liverpool for a long time and he made a brief appearance for the first team in pre-season coming on against Athletic Bilbao.

He's been a regular at U21 level over the course of the last two seasons and has been the best player for the U21s so far in this campaign.

Playing as a midfielder under newly appointed head-coach, Rob Page, Pilling has showcased his quality especially when it comes to winning his duels.

He was a stand-out performer in Liverpool's EFL Trophy defeat against Burton Albion, winning 100% of his ground duels (4/4) and hardly putting a foot-wrong while anchoring a midfield alongside Jay Spearing.

In total, Pilling has won the most duels (26) for Liverpool's U21 side, which shows just how good he is when it comes to the defensive side of the game.

He's done a great job stepping up for James McConnell, who has gone out on loan to Ajax.

© IMAGO - Tommy Pilling Liverpool

Pilling could now occupy the McConnell 'role' in Liverpool's first team as well, with the now Ajax loanee getting a handful of opportunities last season.

McConnell was liked for his game intelligence, technical qualities and duel winning ability. Pilling is demonstrating similar traits and we know how important it is to win your duels in Slot's system so that will bode well for him.

With Southampton coming up in the League Cup, perhaps there could even be a first-team opportunity for the wonderkid to make his mark in Liverpool's first team colours in competitive action.

He's definitely one to keep a close eye on.