Liverpool’s Under-21s have seen their season ended by Crystal Palace, who knocked the young Reds out of the Premier League 2 play-offs on penalties.
Nurturing talent in the academy is part of the Liverpool way, and we have seen the fruits of that practice with Trey Nyoni and notably Rio Ngumoha this season. Young players given the chance to prove themselves in a senior environment.
As we look ahead to the summer transfer window, there will be plenty of player movement to and from Anfield, but Arne Slot may well rely on his academy once again to provide valuable squad depth. Three youngsters in particular could be in line for a call-up.
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Florian Wirtz knee slides in celebration after scoring for Liverpool during their Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC
Liverpool’s best academy options for 2026/27 season
There’s no shortage of talent in the youth ranks at Liverpool, but some players stand out even at that level. For this exercise, we will be looking at realistic avenues to first-team minutes, meaning a focus on positions where there could be opportunity.
While centre-back Mor Talla Ndiaye has been brilliant since joining Liverpool, it’s hard to see much opportunity for the 18-year-old with Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet ahead of him.
Rather, Rousing The Kop’s picks are talents further up the pitch, starting with the most obvious choice.
Kieran Morrison
This is the easiest of picks for players on the cusp of a breakout. Morrison will be a star for Liverpool, and next season could be when we finally see the best of him.
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A versatile attacker, he can play out on the right or in the midfield, and his 14 goals and four assists in the Premier League 2 is the highest combined tally in the division. Slot has shown faith in the 19-year-old this season, playing him in both domestic cup competitions.
Make your boldest prediction about Kieran Morrison’s Liverpool career
We'll start: He'll play more games for LFC than Rio Ngumoha…
Kieran Morrison of Liverpool battles with Crystal Palace's Borna Sosa during the Carabao Cup fourth round match at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC
With Mo Salah leaving, there is even more reason to believe Morrison can get his foot in the door at the senior level. Definitely one to watch.
Will Wright
Another player who has had a fantastic under-21 campaign is Will Wright, who is less established than the older Morrison, but just as chock-full of potential.
The 18-year-old striker has six goals and five assists in 15 PL2 appearances, and he looks like a player with goals in his future.
Liverpool U21 v Tottenham Hotspur U21: Premier League 2
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Wright’s role at Liverpool could be increased rather abruptly given the injury to Hugo Ekitike. He plays with an aggression and a hunger that can always lend itself to first-team training, and he has shown an incredible eye for goal in the games we have seen of him.
Keyrol Figueroa
Yes, yes, it’s another attacker. As we mentioned, Liverpool have young talent at the back already, and the midfield is an area that needs a world-class addition more so than an academy boost.
Our last pick is another striker, 19-year-old Keyrol Figueroa. He’s scored a goal every 63 minutes for the Under-21s this season — the best in the PL2 — racking up 12 across the campaign.
Keyrol Figueroa celebrates after scoring for Liverpool U21s during the match against Everton U21s in the Premier League 2
Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Realistically, only one of Wright or Figueroa could be given the Nyoni/Ngumoha treatment, and the return of Jayden Danns means not even that is guaranteed. It would be about what Slot wants from his third-choice striker.
If the need is for an Ekitike-type linker who has a bit of finesse, Wright is probably the better choice. If, however, he wants an Isak-like clinical goalscorer, the numbers say Figueroa is the better option.
Slot has maybe used academy players more than he would have liked this season, but he seems willing to carry on Liverpool’s legacy of bringing young talent through.
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