Andoni Iraola has been handed a chance to take a closer look at two Liverpool youngsters during the extended international break
Andoni Iraola manager of Liverpool applauds the fans after the Premier League match against Fulham
Andoni Iraola has continued to work with members of the Liverpool squad not on international duty during the break(Image: Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Two Liverpool youngsters have been given the opportunity to impress head coach Andoni Iraola during the international break, according to recent reports.
The majority of the Reds' senior squad is currently away on duty with their national teams, scattered all over the world. This break, in particular, is the first that falls under FIFA's new schedule, meaning it is much longer than previous ones, lasting three weeks with four games played.
It does mean one less international break in the Autumn, with October's cut from the schedule. Instead, the next one will arrive in November, with a third then set to take place in the Spring.
Iraola hasn't jetted off on an extended holiday during these three weeks as he was present at Liverpool Women's Merseyside derby win over Everton at Anfield last Sunday. A report from The Athletic also claims he is continuing to work on the training ground with those not on international duty.
The article states that Iraola is working with a 'skeleton squad', with the few senior players present supplemented by academy players from the under-21s and under-18s. The training schedule is said to be similar to previous weeks, with the addition of a few extra days off.
James McConnell and Jayden Danns have been name-checked specifically as players who have had an opportunity to impress Iraola during this time. With Liverpool set to play 10 games in 27 days after the international break, the Reds boss will no doubt need to utilize as many players as possible.
McConnell has made just one senior appearance for Liverpool so far this term. He was an unused substitute in the Premier League games against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, as well as the Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid.
James McConnell of Liverpool in action during the Carabao Cup Third Round match against Tottenham
James McConnell last featured for Liverpool's senior team in the third round Carabao Cup win over Tottenham(Image: Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
The game he did start, however, was the third-round Carabao Cup win over Tottenham at Anfield. He played 62 minutes before he was substituted for Dominik Szoboszlai.
Danns, on the other hand, hasn't made a senior appearance since the Carabao Cup win over Southampton more than 12 months ago. He finally made his long-awaited return to a senior squad for the Atletico Madrid game, in which he was an unused substitute.
Unfortunately for the forward, the last couple of years since his breakthrough under Jurgen Klopp have been ravaged by injuries. A loan move at the start of 2025 with Sunderland, then in the Championship, was cut short due to his injury woes.
So, the opportunity to impress new head coach Iraola will be a welcome one for the 20-year-old as he looks to force his way back into the first-team fold. The coming weeks could produce an opportunity for him, as well as the likes of Lewis Koumas, with Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak having both withdrawn from international duty with their respective nations due to injury.