The Liverpool youngsters set for pre-season chance
Andoni Iraola is set to run the rule over a number of young talents who are primed for big futures at Anfield.
Andoni Iraola immediately ingratiated himself with Liverpool fans by signalling his excitement over the chance to work with the club’s youngsters in his first pre-season.
Speaking to the club’s official website, the Spaniard said of this summer: “The World Cup being there, we will have a chance to work especially with some of the young players, because a lot of the senior players have been out and are arriving later with the World Cup.
“So I think it gives us the chance to know better the players from the academy, some of the players who have been on loan.
“They will be an important part of the first part of pre-season, the American tour, and I think in that way it works very well for us, because it will give us a lot of the information before we take really decisions, before we start the season.”
These decisions will, of course, relate to who might have a chance of pushing for first-team involvement, either now or in the near future.
And so this is a key period for several talented starlets looking to make the step up at Anfield, five of whom are picked out below.
Josh Abe
Liverpool fought off interest and huge contract offers from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City in order to tie Josh Abe down to a scholarship last month.
But that they were able to do so owed much to their ability to outline a clear pathway to the senior side, which is expected to begin with involvement in this summer’s pre-season plans.
The winger will only turn 16 next month, but he is viewed as a future star with the potential to make an impact very early in his career in much the same way Rio Ngumoha has.
The absence of several attackers involved in the World Cup will open up opportunities for him to show Iraola just how far he can go.
Mor Talla Ndiaye
Signed by the Reds in January, Mor Talla Ndiaye is regarded as one to watch by those who have followed his early performances in the academy.
A left-footed centre-back, the 18-year-old’s stature and quality in possession mean he has all the tools to stake a claim for minutes under Iraola.
With Virgil van Dijk eyeing a deep World Cup run and January signing Ifeanyi Ndukwe expected to leave immediately on loan, there should be opportunities for Ndiaye.
If he can take them, then he may well convince the new head coach that he can play a role in the coming campaign.
