CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola and Josh Abe (R) during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola and Josh Abe (R) during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Andoni Iraola has revealed “some” of Liverpool’s young players will stay with the first team for the upcoming season after showing they can offer “quality” to his side.
Iraola has had to rely on the club’s academy at the start of his tenure, bringing 12 youngsters to the United States for the three-stop tour.
With eight first-team regulars not initially on the plane across the Atlantic, Liverpool’s head coach has gone on to use all but one academy player in the two friendlies so far.
He has embraced their talent and presence, with Lewis Koumas, Calvin Ramsay and Kieran Morrison all speaking highly of Iraola, and “some” will now stay with the senior side.
“Different scenarios,” Iraola started when asked about his squad’s young players by LFCTV.
“Some of them are going to return to the U21s, some of them will go on loan, and some of them will stay with us because I think we will need them during the season.
“They’ve shown me that they have the level, they can give us quality minutes, a good level in training, and I’m sure some of them will stay with us, yes.”
It is no secret Liverpool currently lack squad depth, and the desire for Iraola to embrace the pathway from academy to first team is a welcome return to the club’s core values.
CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
To underline his satisfaction with what he’s seen, when asked what has impressed him most about the tour overall, Iraola was quick to point to his youth contingent:
“Probably the performance of the young players,” he said. “At the end, we’ve had most of the players coming from the U21s, from the academy, and they’ve performed really well against Premier League opposition.
“Very good players; winning duels, helping us also in the collective idea. I think it probably has been the best [thing so far], I wouldn’t say surprise, but at least the confirmation.”
Which young players could stay on with the first-team this season?
CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's Kieran Morrison during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's Kieran Morrison during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
There is no shortage of attacking depth Iraola could keep close, with Kieran Morrison, 19, Lewis Koumas, 20, and Will Wright, 18, all putting forward their case to stay on.
Koumas, however, is too good for academy football and if minutes cannot be guaranteed, he could be better off continuing his development in another senior environment.
Sixteen-year-old Josh Abe, meanwhile, is a bright prospect but will likely be a regular for the U21s who could supplement the first-team squad.
With Ifeanyi Ndukwe not eligible for the first-team this season having not acquired enough points for a UK work permit, Luke Chambers, 22, could be given a chance as a capable left-back who can also offer cover at centre-back.
Finally, James McConnell, 21, will hope he can establish himself as a trustworthy option for Iraola in midfield after a frustrating 2025/26 season.
Isak Wirtz Gravenberch
Isak Wirtz Gravenberch
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NEW JERSEY, USA - Sunday, July 19, 2026: Spain's Víctor Muñoz lifts the "Fifa World Cup Trophy" after the FIFA World Cup Final 2026 between Spain and Argentina at the Met Life Stadium. Spain won the World Cup 1-0 in extra time. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Isak (2)
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