Why Arne Slot needs to give wonderkid surprise opportunity at Anfield | OneFootball

There are many valid criticisms of Arne Slot this season, but the Dutchman has got one thing right.

Since his arrival at Anfield, Slot has continued to include the club’s academy prospects in the first-team picture – something that worked incredibly well under Jurgen Klopp.

Several academy players have regularly been part of Slot’s training sessions and found themselves on the bench for first-team games.

Rio Ngumoha is the best example, and the 17-year-old enjoyed a number of cameos from the bench before becoming a fully-fledged starter for the Reds in recent weeks.

Now, the time has come for Slot to give another wonderkid a chance, and he must do it against Brentford on Sunday.

Will Wright needs to play against Brentford

One of Liverpool’s most exciting prospects, Will Wright, arrived from Salford City at the start of the season.

The Englishman is yet to make his debut for the first-team, but has been a key player for the Reds’ U21 side since January.

The striker missed some time injured, but has scored four and assisted five in the last 10 matches of the Premier League 2 season.

The 18-year-old has found himself as an unused substitute on Slot’s bench four times already, and it is vital that he makes his debut against Brentford.

Hugo Ekitike is expected to be out injured until around Christmas, and Alexander Isak has struggled to maintain his fitness, meaning the Reds could be in need of an additional striker ahead of next season.

Wright could be that striker, but he hasn’t been given a chance to prove himself for the first-team yet.

Slot needs to hand the teenager his debut against Brentford so the club can get a better idea of whether he is ready to step up to senior football.

The striker will also have the pre-season and the first few games of next season to show off his ability before Liverpool pull the trigger on signing another forward, but making his debut against Brentford will give Richard Hughes and Co a clear sign of how ready he is.

Slot needs to give Wright an opportunity before the summer, and the Brentford game is his last chance.