Andoni Iraola already has a thin squad to begin his Liverpool tenure, so the club have some difficult decisions to make over their young contingent.
With Florian Wirtz, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexander Isak only returning for the third and final friendly of the US tour, Liverpool relied on youngsters to earn them wins over Sunderland and Wrexham.
Several impressed and will have worked their way into Iraola’s plans, at least for the time being.
“Some of them are going to return to the Under 21s, 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,” the manager told LFCTV.
“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.”
The arrival of new players could significantly change the landscape of Liverpool’s squad, but these youngsters have certainly won the right to be considered for the first team.
Luke Chambers – Keep
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Luke Chambers during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Luke Chambers during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Last season was effectively a write-off for Luke Chambers due to injury, but he is back now and making a claim to stay at the club with defensive options thin on the ground.
As a left-back, he enjoyed two years on loan at Wigan where he often demonstrated his excellent crossing ability.
However, Liverpool’s lack of centre-halves saw him fill in as a central defender on Liverpool’s US tour.
Like with many on this list, new signings could change things, but Chambers currently looks capable of being an auxiliary full-back or centre-back for Iraola in the Carabao Cup, for example.
Trey Nyoni – Keep
The standout from Liverpool’s pre-season friendlies so far, Trey Nyoni should be among the manager’s rotation of central midfielders this season.
Technically excellent, Nyoni has bulked up and now looks like a first-team player.
Taking into account Alexis Mac Allister‘s late return and the doubt surrounding Curtis Jones‘ future, expect to see Nyoni feature early on this season.
Mor Talla Ndiaye – Keep
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Mor Talla Ndiaye during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at the Nashville SC Stadium. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Mor Talla Ndiaye during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at the Nashville SC Stadium. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool are in no position to be letting centre-halves walk out the door.
Mor Talla Ndiaye signed in January and should play most of his football for the under-21s this season. However, it looks like he could be required early on in the campaign.
With Ifeanyi Ndukwe unavailable for work permit reasons, Joe Gomez injured, Jeremy Jacquet being managed and Giovanni Leoni still recovering from ACL surgery, Ndiaye may need to be called upon earlier than expected.
Kieran Morrison – Keep
Last year’s best player for the under-21s by some distance, Kieran Morrison got his pre-season underway with a well-taken goal after just 13 minutes against Sunderland.
Another year of training with the first team, while perhaps getting minutes in cup competitions, is the ideal scenario for Liverpool as they continue to assess how he develops.
With no right-winger having been brought in to replace Mo Salah, Morrison is actually the natural option for Iraola at the moment if he wants a left-footer on the right.
Lewis Koumas – Keep
Perhaps the surprise package of Liverpool’s US tour, Lewis Koumas played 153 minutes and proved he is now well above the level of academy football.
After spending two years in the Championship, the Wales international seems to suit the intense press required of Iraola’s forwards and will be deemed better option than Federico Chiesa by many.
Harvey Davies – Keep
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Harvey Davies during the pre-match warm-up before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Harvey Davies during the pre-match warm-up before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
We can’t completely write Harvey Davies off as a long-term goalkeeper at Liverpool, but at this point in his career, it is safe to assume his future will lie elsewhere.
In the short-term, though, the Athletic‘s Gregg Evans reports that Davies is expected to stay as part of Iraola’s senior setup until January before the situation is reassessed.
He is likely to be in place as fourth-choice goalkeeper behind Alisson, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman.
Calum Scanlon – Loan
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Calum Scanlon during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at the Nashville SC Stadium. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Calum Scanlon during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at the Nashville SC Stadium. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
A left-back by trade, Calum Scanlon played in a wide advanced position against Wrexham and did himself no harm with a bright, tidy performance.
He started twice and came off the bench six times at the end of last season as he helped Cardiff earn promotion to the Championship.
Despite only joining Cardiff in February, he made an impression enough for the Bluebirds to want him back for the campaign ahead, according to the Mail.
James McConnell – Loan
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's James McConnell during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's James McConnell during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
James McConnell‘s development hasn’t been linear at Liverpool, and what should have been a season of progression didn’t materialise last time around.
An unsuccessful loan at Ajax ended early due to minor surgery, and he spent the second half of the campaign building up to an appearance on the bench in the penultimate game of the season, against Aston Villa.
After signing a long-term contract in 2025, he is likely to head out on loan again for another attempt at playing regular football.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe – Loan
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Ifeanyi Ndukwe during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Ifeanyi Ndukwe during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ifeanyi Ndukwe played more minutes than anyone else in the US and really impressed on the tour.
However, he unfortunately won’t be able to play for the Reds due to work permit problems this season.
While Liverpool really could have done with him being a part of the squad, he should still gain experience this season.
His agency told Sky Sport Austria: “Several top international clubs have already expressed concrete interest in a loan.”
Calvin Ramsay – Sell (depending on incomings)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Calvin Ramsay during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Calvin Ramsay during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Calvin Ramsay created a lot of debate last season as Arne Slot refused to view him as a viable right-back for Premier League action.
As a result of his lack of football, we are still somewhat unsure of his level and ideally he would be given the chance to step up in the absence of Conor Bradley.
However, his status as a non-homegrown player is a key factor in Liverpool’s decision-making around the Scotsman.
As it stands, Liverpool only have one space left for a foreign signing. Loaning or selling Ramsay would add another.
Josh Sonni-Lambie – Under-21s
Josh Sonni-Lambie is a very talented young forward, capable of playing up front and behind the striker, but it is fair to say he isn’t yet ready for the senior side.
Instead, the 18-year-old should spend another year playing for Rob Page’s under-21s before making his next move.
Bailey Hall – Under-21s
CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Bailey Hall 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 goalkeeper Bailey Hall 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)
Bailey Hall travelled with the squad to the US but didn’t see any game time, instead training with the goalkeepers.
Young ‘keepers Jacob Poytress and DJ Bernard were released this summer, Armin Pecsi has gone out on loan and Vitezslav Jaros is injured.
This all means Hall can’t really be afforded a loan so must stay at the academy for another year.
Will Wright – Under-21s
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Will Wright during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Will Wright during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
With Jayden Danns suffering injury issues and Hugo Ekitike out for at least the rest of 2026, there is a chance for Will Wright to become the second-choice No. 9 at Liverpool for a period.
While we don’t see him starting first-team games, expect to see him involved in Carabao Cup fixtures.
Josh Abe – Under-21s
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Josh Abe during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Josh Abe during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Josh Abe has only just turned 16 years old but is already known to fans as an attacker with an incredibly high ceiling.
The Reds have fought off interest from Man City, Chelsea and Man United to keep the left-footer and took him on pre-season after the youngster signed on as a scholar.
He will sign a professional deal when he turns 17 years old, but for now he should remain an academy player who sometimes trains with Iraola’s squad.