Liverpool supporters are desperate for Arne Slot to give more of a chance to the young players coming through their academy.
After spending years seeing Jurgen Klopp blood the club’s top talents, fans have grown frustrated by Slot’s perceived reluctance to do the same.
Part of the annoyance is born from the fact that the Liverpool academy has arguably never been in better shape.
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Josh Abe is seen as one of the best youngsters at Liverpool, but the winger is far from the only one catching the eye this season.
The UEFA Youth League has often been a stage for the Reds’ academy stars to put themselves in the spotlight, and after impressing against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday, midfielder Haydn Murray-Holme has done exactly that.
Rob Page hails Haydn Murray-Holme introduction
Liverpool have form for producing some super midfielders in the past. Steven Gerrard and Curtis Jones spring to mind as two very different versions of that.
In Murray-Holme, the Reds may have another one destined for first-team stardom.
Liverpool midfielder Haydn Murray-Holme on the ball during the UEFA Youth League match against PSV Eindhoven.
Photo by Annabel Lee-Ellis/Getty Images
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U21s coach Rob Page certainly seems to think so. After introducing the 17-year-old in the second-half against PSV, the former Wales manager raved about Murray-Holme’s performance.
“It’s no coincidence that we took control of the midfield in the second half when he was on,” Page told Liverpool.com.
“He got the ball, he was brave with his passing options, he wasn’t just safe going backwards and square, he wasn’t afraid to play through the lines, and I was really pleased with him.”
Liverpool won the game 1-0 thanks to a late Trent Kone-Doherty winner, which ensured their progression to the knockout stages.
Haydn Murray-Holme emerges as one to watch
The Liverpool academy look like they may have produced another star in midfielder Haydn Murray-Holme
Liverpool midfielder Haydn Murray-Holme on the ball during the UEFA Youth League match against PSV Eindhoven.
Photo by Annabel Lee-Ellis/Getty Images
Name: Haydn Murray-Holme
DOB: 30/09/2008
Position: Central midfield
Plays a bit like: Adam Wharton
Who is Haydn-Murray-Holme?
Hailing from the Wirral, Murray-Holme is an exciting young midfielder who has been enjoying a good period with the U18s.
Described by Liverpoolfc.com as a ‘tenacious player in the middle of the park who likes to get stuck in and has great vision’, the teenager looks like one to keep a close eye on.
Playing with his socks rolled down to his ankles, Murray-Holme does have a bit of Jones about him, but is a deeper-lying player in the mould of an Adam Wharton.
Having only turned 17 at the end of September, no expectations should be placed on Murray-Holme in terms of the first-team. If he keeps turning in good performances, though, perhaps Slot will be alerted.
The youngster has been at Liverpool since the age of six, and looks likely to play a starring role for the season ahead.
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