“Opportunities For Him.” – Liverpool Journalist Looks Ahead To Pre-Season Academy Chances | OneFootball

With Liverpool’s pre-season tour in the United States getting underway on the 25th of July with a clash against fellow Premier League side Sunderland, one of the biggest talking points at this time of year is always which players from the Reds’ academy will join the senior squad as preparations begin for the upcoming season.

Many of the academy’s brightest youngsters were involved in Andoni Iraola’s first two training sessions with the first team. The likes of Joshua Abe, Keyrol Figueroa and Josh Sonni-Lambie all enjoyed fantastic seasons at academy level last year but are still waiting to make their first-team debuts. They will be hoping to board the plane to the States and gain valuable experience.

With the majority of the senior players still enjoying their holidays, there is a great opportunity for the young Reds to make a statement to the new boss and showcase their qualities.

Dan spoke to Matt Addison, who shared his thoughts on several academy players, discussing which young Reds he believes should head out on loan and who could impress Iraola during the pre-season tour.

On the academy going through a transitional period

Liverpool have signed plenty of defensive cover, especially in the centre-back position, allowing the academy to develop. The Reds brought in Noah Adekoya, Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe, all to compete at academy level.

“Maybe there’s slightly fewer options in that position than there are in other positions, so you have to get ahead of the curve, really, to get the very best up-and-coming ones, to make sure you give yourself the best chance of having one of those on your books already.”

Addison described it as “a little bit of a reset”, with some of the youngsters “ready to take the next step and move on.”

He used the example of Kaide Gordon as a player who came into the academy at the age of 16 in 2021, who now may be ready to make the move away from Liverpool.

Addison added that the club cannot just let a bulk of players leave, as the U18s and U21s still need to be competitive for team and individual growth. But Addison described the academy as being in “a bit of a transition period.”

On the players to look out for

Matt Addison believes that Josh Abe is “probably the one” to look out for in terms of excitement at the club for youngsters going on the tour. It looks like the 16-year-old will be on the tour in some capacity. Whether that is getting minutes or being involved just for the experience is yet to be seen.

Addison described Abe as “one of the best players in his position in his age group in the country.” Liverpool managed to secure the winger’s signature a month ago, beating the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City.

Kieran Morrison came up in conversation, with the winger having a fantastic season under Rob Page in the U21s. Morrison was described as “Liverpool’s best player at Under-21 level” in the previous season.

James McConnell is another player Addison feels could be given a chance in pre-season. The midfielder came back from a loan spell at Ajax midway through last season and featured in the U21s’ final game of the season.

Will Wright was a player who was highlighted as someone who can push into the senior squad. With Hugo Ekitike’s injury, that does free up a centre-forward spot in the squad. His time at Salford has enabled him to have more “physicality and the sort of experience of being able to know where to be in certain moments.”

With Alexander Isak being the only fit senior striker in the squad, Addison added that there may be “opportunities for him” to make his mark in the first-team squad.

On Jayden Danns

Danns’ situation is a bit more complicated than others in and around the academy. The striker was set to have his breakthrough season with Sunderland two years ago before a back injury halted his progress.

Addison believes the decision on Danns for the upcoming season will come down to how fit the forward is come transfer deadline day. An option the Reds could take is keeping Danns for the first six months of the season so his training and rehab progress can be managed by the club.

If he is fit, however, Addison suggested that “there’d be no shortage of interest at the top end of the Championship.”

On Kieran Morrison

Morrison had an exceptional campaign for the U21s last season, picking up 15 goals and five assists in the league campaign. Performances that earned the 19-year-old his first cap for Northern Ireland.

Certainly a breakout season for Morrison, but Addison believes that a loan move is the “clear-cut” decision surrounding his future.

He added: “I think he is far too good to have another season at under-21 level.”

“Having the season he just had, he then has the confidence to go in and play at senior level.”

With Morrison operating best in the number 10 position and competition at the club very high in that area of the pitch, a move away from Liverpool for the season may be his best option.

In terms of clubs similar to Danns, top-end Championship clubs are the best and most likely destination for the pair to develop and play consistent first-team football.

On Trey Nyoni

Nyoni was limited to fewer games than maybe he was hoping for under Arne Slot last season, with the Dutchman stating in pre-conferences himself how the midfielder deserves more minutes in the first team and is a top talent.

The midfielder has proved on multiple occasions now that he may be ready to take that step into senior football, but the minutes he needs to fully develop as a player will most likely not be given to him at Liverpool due to the number of players in that position.

With former Liverpool coach Viktor Matos now the manager at Swansea, Dan and Addison suggested that could be a destination for Nyoni if he was to go out on loan. Not just for the midfielder, but many youngsters could be attracted to a move to Swansea for the 2026/27 season.

With the number of players Liverpool have in that position, Addison leaned towards the midfielder departing for the season: “A loan move probably just about makes more sense.”

He did also warn that there is still a risk with loan moves, using the example of Harvey Elliott and not wanting a similar situation to unfold.