The FA Cup has traditionally been a time for Liverpool managers to experiment and give chances to promising young players.
Arne Slot has that opportunity on Saturday as Brighton come to Anfield in the fourth round.
Sadly, with Liverpool out of the Premier League title race, they must take the cup a little more seriously than they regularly have.
Discuss: Jones’ Liverpool career is CLEARLY coming to an end if he doesn’t start vs Brighton
Curtis Jones in action during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
Credit: Gaspafotos/MB Media/ Getty Images
Brighton are not in the best form, but they are still a dangerous side who have often troubled even the best Liverpool teams. As a result, Slot looks likely to disappoint supporters hoping to see a team dotted with young talents.
Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni may have been banking on the cup for minutes this season, but after Slot spoke to the press on Friday, it seems as though they are two of only three youngsters who have any kind of chance to play.
Arne Slot suggests he won’t use youngsters
Slot annoyed a portion of the fanbase in the FA Cup third round this season by going with an almost full-strength team against Barnsley at Anfield.
Ngumoha started that day, and although Slot name-checked the 17-year-old alongside Nyoni when asked about the potential of youngsters being involved against Brighton, he also suggested that the quality of the opposition will probably mean they are overlooked in the starting line-up.
Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni walk out ahead of a training session for Liverpool
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
READ MORE: Jayden Danns given hope of first-team involvement after Liverpool beat Sunderland
“I’m looking always at them [the academy players] because yesterday they trained again, all of them,” said the Liverpool head coach. “A few of them come closer and closer to first-team football and a few of them already had it with Rio and Trey.
“Games like this could be an option for them as well but it’s finding the right balance because we do play a very strong and good team in Brighton tomorrow, so finding the right balance with who to play is something we’re going to think about even more today.
“If we had a different opponent tomorrow then I maybe would have made other choices.”
Which exciting Liverpool youngster will have the brightest future at Anfield?
Trey Nyoni in action during Liverpool's pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool celebrates at full-time following the team's victory in the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park
Credit: George Wood/Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images
Kieran Morrison could be included in the squad
As well as Ngumoha and Nyoni, there is the possibility that Kieran Morrison features in the squad for Saturday’s game.
The 19-year-old made the bench for Wednesday’s clash with Sunderland and is likely to be one of those Slot refers to as coming ‘closer and closer’ to involvement.
A nimble winger with an excellent left foot, Morrison has really been catching the eye at U21 level recently and if anyone can join Ngumoha and Nyoni in becoming a regular in Slot’s thinking, it is likely to be him.
Liverpool’s slight lack of attacking options may also work in the youngster’s favour, with Brighton a possible chance to see him in action.
Ngumoha is probably the most likely of this exciting trio to be named on the teamsheet, but if fans are waiting to see a plethora of names from the club’s academy get their chance, they are likely to be left short-changed.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox