Liverpool may yet have to get creative this season when addressing some issues that have cropped up within the first-team squad.
One of the most notable problems for Arne Slot has been at right-back, where none of his options have fully convinced so far.
Neither Conor Bradley nor Jeremie Frimpong have been able to nail the position down, while Dominik Szoboszlai should not be seen as a long-term player at full-back.
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There was even a call-up for Calvin Ramsay, who had perhaps thought his dream of playing in the Liverpool senior side had died.
While Bradley seems to have secured the spot for the time being with some better form, Arne Slot does have one more option in the form of academy player Luca Stephenson.
Stephenson has been impressive in both pre-seasons under Slot, and has been excelling once again on loan at Dundee United. Amid their right-back struggles, it has emerged that Liverpool have been out to keep an eye on the 22-year-old.
Luca Stephenson of Liverpool shoots as he warms up prior to the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Athletic Club Bilbao at Anfield
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Luca Stephenson shuts down talk of Liverpool return
Stephenson was brilliant for Dundee United during the 2024/25 season, excelling in midfield.
Having once again joined the Scottish side for the new campaign, the youngster has featured mainly at right-back this time.
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Impressively, Stephenson has still managed three goals in nine Premiership appearances, with the latest coming in a draw against table-topping Hearts on November 9th.
After that match, The Courier reported that members of staff at Liverpool were there to see Stephenson’s goal in person.
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Inevitably, the Liverpool academy star was then asked to weigh in on talk that he could potentially be recalled to help solve Slot’s right-back issue.
“I want to stick around for the full season here,” Stephenson said. “It doesn’t matter how well I’m doing or how well I did last season, when I join a club, I commit to a full season.
“I almost try and forget about being a Liverpool player a little bit. I’m a Dundee United player and that’s my only concern.”
Stephenson could come into right-back conversation
It is a big jump from the Scottish Premiership to playing for Liverpool – as Ramsay has found out over the past three years.
However, if Bradley and Frimpong continue their flattery to deceive, then Stephenson could come into the conversation next summer.
He is certainly on Slot’s radar having featured heavily in both of his summers in charge of the Reds and if he can continue that involvement next year, there may be a genuine case to get him involved in the first-team.
Stephenson is clearly a level above where he is playing at the moment, but whether that could translate into a more regular role at Liverpool is debatable. Unless he’s given the chance, though, Slot will never know.
As former Reds midfielder Jay Spearing mentioned in July, Stephenson has been ‘fantastic‘ over the past year or so. Liverpool are clearly aware of his talents, the question now is whether they’ll give him a platform to showcase them.