While Liverpool’s first team won’t report back to the AXA Training Centre for pre-season training until Monday, the Reds’ Under-21s and Under-18s returned to Kirkby this week.
Their earlier return is deliberate with assistant manager Pep Lijnders using the opportunity to scout out the club’s next generation of talents before deciding which of them will be called up to the first team when Jurgen Klopp ’s ranks report for pre-season. This week-long audition is what earned Kaide Gordon his promotion last year, with Conor Bradley, Owen Beck and Tyler Morton also earning maiden senior call-ups.
The Dutchman already earmarked three players he hoped could make the step-up this summer when watching the young Reds in FA Youth Cup after the turn of the year. However, Lijnders might be left disappointed when it comes to one of the trio for the best possible reason.
