Liverpool youngsters set for huge US opportunity | OneFootball

Liverpool US Tour Squad Opens Door for Academy Talents Under Andoni Iraola

Liverpool are edging towards a key pre-season decision, with the club’s upcoming US tour shaping up as an important checkpoint for a number of Academy players hoping to force their way into Andoni Iraola’s thinking. As first reported by the Liverpool Echo, several young Reds are in line to travel to Chicago on Monday, with senior absences creating a genuine opening.

The timing matters. Some first-team players remain unavailable after summer international commitments, and that leaves space in the travelling party for emerging talent. For those on the fringes, this is more than a routine pre-season exercise. It is a chance to work in close proximity with the new head coach, train at senior intensity and show where they stand in the next phase of Liverpool’s squad planning.

ZILINA – LIVERPOOL Joshua Oluwatobi Abe of Liverpool during the Round of 32 of UEFA Youth league football match between MSK Zilina U19 and Liverpool FC U19. Zilina, Slovakia, February 03, 2026. Photo by Branislav Racko Copyright: xx zil_lfc0164

Academy players pushing for Liverpool breakthrough

Among the standout names is Josh Abe, a winger who made a sizeable impression at under-18 level last season. Liverpool have moved quickly to secure his immediate future amid interest from Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United, which says plenty about how highly he is regarded internally. Still only 16, Abe made his under-18 debut last September and quickly built momentum before a knee injury cut short his campaign in March. He has now recovered sufficiently and appears well placed to be part of the group under consideration for the US tour.

There is understandable intrigue around what exposure at first-team level could mean for a player of that profile. Liverpool have historically been selective with academy promotions, but pre-season often provides the cleanest route for younger players to make a mark, especially when a new coaching staff are forming fresh assessments.

There are others in that bracket too. Centre-backs Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye have both been involved in sessions under Iraola, along with midfielder Tommy Pilling. Ndukwe has only just arrived from Austria Vienna, while Ndiaye already had a glimpse of the senior environment late last season. Their inclusion in training suggests Liverpool want a closer look before decisions are taken on next steps.

US tour gives fringe players a fresh chance

Pre-season is rarely only about the newest academy names. It also serves as a reset for players who have been on the edge of the first team or spent time away on loan. James McConnell is back after recovering from the shoulder issue that disrupted his spell at Ajax. Lewis Koumas returns following time at Birmingham City and then Hull City, where he helped secure promotion, while Calum Scanlon is also back in the fold after his League One experience with Cardiff City.

Calvin Ramsay is another player to watch. The right-back’s senior opportunities have been restricted in recent years, and this summer feels important for him. With Iraola now in place and Liverpool assessing all areas of the squad, there is a sense that strong pre-season performances could still alter the picture for players whose pathway had become less clear.

In attacking areas, the numbers available could further help younger options. Kieran Morrison is expected to get another opportunity after his senior appearances last season, his full Northern Ireland debut and a new Liverpool contract. Will Wright is another who could benefit, having finished the previous Premier League 2 campaign in encouraging fashion after a long injury lay-off. Keyrol Figueroa and Josh Sonni-Lambie have also been involved in first-team training this week, which keeps them firmly in the conversation.

Andoni Iraola faces useful pre-season calls

For Iraola, this is practical as much as developmental. He needs bodies for training and matches across a three-game US tour, but he also needs evidence. Which academy prospects are ready to cope physically, tactically and mentally with senior demands? Which loanees can still play a role? Which positions need reinforcement before the competitive season begins?

That is why this tour feels significant. Liverpool’s established internationals will return in staggered fashion, and that creates a short-term opening for younger and returning players to gain visibility. Pre-season impressions should never be overstated, but they do shape internal conversations, especially under a head coach still establishing his hierarchy.

Not every academy player will make the flight, with others involved in friendlies at Kirkby over the weekend, yet the wider message is clear. Liverpool are prepared to look within while external transfer work continues. For the club’s best young prospects, the road to a bigger role may not be straightforward, but this is one of those moments where the door is genuinely open.

Our View

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this is exactly what pre-season should be about. Of course everyone wants signings, clarity and a settled squad, but there is something genuinely exciting about seeing top academy talent given a proper chance in front of a new head coach. Supporters always respond to young players who look fearless, and this tour feels like a brilliant stage for a few of them to announce themselves.

Josh Abe is the obvious headline name because of his age and reputation, but the wider picture is just as encouraging. Morrison, Wright, McConnell, Koumas and Scanlon all feel like players with something to prove. That hunger can be a huge asset in July. If they arrive in the US and play with intensity, courage and personality, fans will get behind them very quickly.

There is also real curiosity about how Iraola will handle this. New coaches often give young players a clean slate, and Liverpool could benefit from that fresh perspective. Supporters will be hoping one or two emerge from the tour looking ready to contribute more regularly. Pre-season optimism is part of football, but this one feels especially worth watching because there could be genuine breakthrough stories ahead.

Source: Liverpool Echo