**Liverpool are gearing up for the 2026/27 Premier League season, which will mark the first at Anfield for Andoni Iraola, who appears to have decided on which young players to call up to the first team.**
While Liverpool owners FSG have been criticised for the lack of depth in the squad, which led assistant coach [Tommy Elphick to join training on the pre-season tour of the USA](https://live4liverpool.com/iraolas-assistant-coach-joined-training-session-to-make-up-for-the-shortage-of-players-in-usa/), the depleted squad did give Iraola the chance to have a greater look at the youth talent available to him at his new club.
At Bournemouth, Iraola developed a stellar reputation for the trust he places in young players, including Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi, Eli Junior Kroupi, Rayan and Alex Scott.
Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Victor Munoz have all rejoined training now, which will restore a bit more depth to training, although more signings are needed.
That said, Iraola is set to promote five young players to his first team squad for the 2026/27 season.
The five young players set to be promoted to the Liverpool first team by Andoni Iraola
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The first is the most unsurprising after his cameos last season and starring role in the three friendlies Liverpool have already taken part in this summer: **Trey Nyoni**. Not only does the 19-year-old deserve to be promoted, but he may even make the grade for a starting role against Newcastle United in the first Premier League game of the season.
The second is Ifeanyi Ndukwe. Although somewhat contrary to the idea of being promoted, the 18-year-old is [set to spend the season on loan to accrue the necessary number of points to qualify for a UK work permit](https://live4liverpool.com/its-such-a-pity-ifeanyi-ndukwe-isnt-eligible-to-play-for-liverpool/).
Also promoted to the first team and part of the full training session with the first team on Wednesday were Kieran Morrison, Lewis Koumas and Luke Chambers. Koumas is particularly exciting to me as he has the touch you’d expect of a full pro but also seems to already understand what Iraola wants in the press.