BURTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 2, 2025: Liverpool's Will Wright during the English Football League Trophy Northern Group H match between Burton Albion FC and Liverpool FC Under-21's at The Burton Albion FC Stadium. Burton won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
BURTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 2, 2025: Liverpool's Will Wright during the English Football League Trophy Northern Group H match between Burton Albion FC and Liverpool FC Under-21's at The Burton Albion FC Stadium. Burton won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Academy striker Will Wright has his sights set on a place on Liverpool’s pre-season tour and a breakthrough under Andoni Iraola.
Wright joined from Salford City last summer, then aged 17, for around £200,000, and just days later he played for the first team in the final friendly against Athletic Club at Anfield.
He almost scored with one of his first touches in what proved his only outing with the senior team last season, though he was later named in four matchday squads following Hugo Ekitike‘s injury.
Wright played 18 times at academy level in his debut year, contributing six goals and five assists, with a serious knee injury keeping him sidelined for four months.
The 18-year-old reported back for pre-season with the U21s at the start of the week, and with a new senior coach to impress, he is eyeing a spot on Liverpool’s upcoming tour.
“Obviously [I] hope to go on tour maybe, get some minutes and show the fans what I’m about,” Wright told the club’s website of his immediate hopes.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz being subbed off for new signing Will Wright during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz being subbed off for new signing Will Wright during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Then long-term plans, hopefully just play for Liverpool and become the No.9,” he added.
Liverpool are scheduled to fly out for their US tour a week into training, where they will face Sunderland, Wrexham, and Leeds on a three-stop trip.
Iraola will expect to have Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa on tour, but the absence of Ekitike and Victor Munoz will likely afford the likes of Wright and Jayden Danns an opportunity.
The new head coach has already watched the U21s train at the AXA and voiced a desire to call on them this summer, and Wright is seemingly ready to grasp any chance he may be given.
“I think my first year was all about settling in, but I think I’ve done more than just settle in,” Wright added. “I think I’ve shown everyone who I am and what I’m about.
“Obviously I started to get more opportunities towards the end of the season. I picked up an injury in September and only came back in January, but I think since then I’ve come back stronger and fitter.
“I think I’ve shown everyone what I’m about.”
What Liverpool’s U21s coach has said about Will Wright
BURTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 2, 2025: Liverpool's Will Wright (L) challenges Burton Albion's Finn Delap during the English Football League Trophy Northern Group H match between Burton Albion FC and Liverpool FC Under-21's at The Burton Albion FC Stadium. Burton won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
BURTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 2, 2025: Liverpool's Will Wright (L) challenges Burton Albion's Finn Delap during the English Football League Trophy Northern Group H match between Burton Albion FC and Liverpool FC Under-21's at The Burton Albion FC Stadium. Burton won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Speaking to The Redmen TV‘s Dan Clubbe in April, U21s head coach Rob Page praised the teenager as a ‘standard-setter’:
“He’s got the physicality in abundance. There are parts of his game we want to work on. His link play can be a little bit better.
“But when you’ve got somebody of Will’s attitude, he’s brilliant to work with, because he just wants to learn every day. So, he’s a joy to come in and be around. He’s in a good place at the moment.
“His work rate (stands out). Having been a league manager and now working in academy football. Sometimes it can be called a false environment, but that’s as real a game of football as you’re going to get.
“And I think that’s one of the biggest things I’ve tried to change: the mentality and make it a bit more real, and Will thrives on it, because he’s had that experience.
“He’s played league football. He knows what’s needed, and he drives the standards.”
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