Arne Slot has faced scrutiny during his time at Liverpool for a perceived unwillingness to give chances to the club’s talented young players.
Jurgen Klopp became well known for offering opportunities to underage players in his final years at Anfield, but his predecessor has not continued this tradition.
Part of the frustration for those who are keen to see more faces from the Liverpool academy is that the youth teams have arguably never been in a better place.
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You’ve got £80m to fix Liverpool’s midfield this summer, who are you buying?
Elliot Anderson applauds after Nottingham Forest's Premier League match against Manchester United at the City Ground (Credit: Getty Images/Molly Darlington).
Adam Wharton pictured playing for Crystal Palace in the UEFA Conference League match against Fredrikstad at Selhurst Park (Credit: Getty Images/Jacques Feeney/Offside).
Warren Zaire-Emery looks on during the UEFA Champions League match between PSG and VfB Stuttgart at Stuttgart Arena (Credit: Getty Images/Aurelien Meunier/PSG).
Sandro Tonali pictured in action during Newcastle United's Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg against Manchester City at St James' Park (Credit: Getty Images/Scott Llewellyn/MI News/NurPhoto).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Molly Darlington/Jacques Feeney/Offside/Aurelien Meunier/PSG/Scott Llewellyn/MI News/NurPhoto
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
More and better talent is being produced than ever before, with Curtis Jones the current shining example of this within the first team.
Jones was the first midfielder since Gerrard to truly make a permanent imprint in the Liverpool squad, but in 20-year-old Kyle Kelly, perhaps they will soon have another.
Kyle Kelly compares himself to Gini Wijnaldum
Although Liverpool’s midfield is in a good place right now, they are still lacking a little bit of something. How they could do with someone like former Reds unsung hero Gini Wijnaldum.
A complete yet understated midfielder, Wijnaldum would hassle and harry opponents like there was no tomorrow. Capable of attacking and defending in equal measure, the Dutchman was brilliant at keeping the ball and taking the sting out of games as well.
Kyle Kelly of Liverpool U21s in action against Blackpool in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport via Getty Images
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He would be right at home in this Liverpool team and his relentless pressing is just what Slot could do with. According to Kelly himself, though, the Reds could have a regen within the academy set-up.
“I’d say I can play six, eight or 10. I’d like to say I’m creative as well, try to create chances as well,” the youngster told Liverpoolfc.com.
“I think someone like Gini Wijnaldum is someone I look up to, a bit versatile, can play anywhere, can do anything.”
You’ve got £80m to fix Liverpool’s midfield this summer, who are you buying?
Elliot Anderson applauds after Nottingham Forest's Premier League match against Manchester United at the City Ground (Credit: Getty Images/Molly Darlington).
Adam Wharton pictured playing for Crystal Palace in the UEFA Conference League match against Fredrikstad at Selhurst Park (Credit: Getty Images/Jacques Feeney/Offside).
Warren Zaire-Emery looks on during the UEFA Champions League match between PSG and VfB Stuttgart at Stuttgart Arena (Credit: Getty Images/Aurelien Meunier/PSG).
Sandro Tonali pictured in action during Newcastle United's Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg against Manchester City at St James' Park (Credit: Getty Images/Scott Llewellyn/MI News/NurPhoto).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Molly Darlington/Jacques Feeney/Offside/Aurelien Meunier/PSG/Scott Llewellyn/MI News/NurPhoto
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
How close is Kelly to the first team?
Kelly has been unfortunate in that a serious knee injury last season saw him miss most of 2025.
He made his comeback in November, though, and now looks ready to kick on and cement his spot back in the U21s.
Trey Nyoni is clearly leading the pack when it comes to Liverpool’s young midfield options, but if he can return to something like his best, then perhaps Kelly can put himself in similar company.
With six caps for St Kitts and Nevis, he is already a senior international player, and that may give him the edge when compared against some of his peers.
After a big injury it should not be expected that Kelly will be in and around the first team this season, but with a World Cup set to disrupt first team plans for pre-season, he may be eyeing a chance to impress next summer.
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