Liverpool are still expected to add Northern Irish striker Michael Mulholland to their ranks next year, and the 15-year-old has now scored his first professional goal on debut.
While the additions to the senior squad were fewer than hoped, Mulholland is one of several highly regarded youth talents anticipated to bolster the academy ranks after a successful trial.
The 15-year-old is expected to join the club in 2027, after he turns 16 and becomes eligible to move to Merseyside, though no deal has been made official.
His development, however, continues with Belfast-based side Crusaders, who promoted the youngster to the first team for 2026/27 and have now seen him score his first goal.
While it may have been a consolation in a 4-1 defeat to league leaders Coleraine, Mulholland showed off his ability to smartly position himself between defenders and steer a first-time finish into the back of the net on the run.
Mulholland came off the bench to mark his senior debut with 12 minutes left, going on to score his first professional goal five minutes later at just 15 years, seven months and 19 days old.
It surpasses any of Liverpool’s youngest-ever goalscorers, with Rio Ngumoha holding that record at 16 years and 361 days old after he struck at Newcastle last season.
Mulholland has been a prolific goalscorer at youth level, once scoring 256 goals in a single campaign, and is capped at both U16s and U17s level with Northern Ireland.
Liverpool identified the teenager as a prospect following a successful trial with their U16s, and they will be watching his development at senior level closely.
An eventual move to Merseyside is expected either in January or next summer despite the lack of an announcement thus far, with Liverpool able to formally sign Mulholland on scholarship terms once he turns 16 on January 17.
The Reds can reach pre-scholarship agreements while a player is 15, which is anticipated to be the case for the young Northern Ireland striker.
A player can only sign a professional contract when they turn 17.
Liverpool’s investment in youth has seen them sign goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, 18, in a £30 million deal, and forward Djylian N’Guessan, 18, for £4.3 million – both of whom will arrive in 2027.
Sixteen-year-old centre-back Dara Jikiemi from Celtic completed his move this summer, while Samuel Martinez from Atletico Nacional and Senegalese winger Sidy Barhama Ndiaye are also expected to join in the coming years.
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