He's the striker who has drawn comparisons with some of Liverpool's recent greats during his rise through the Academy ranks.
And now opportunity knocks for Layton Stewart as he prepares for his Reds debut by leading the attack in the Carabao Cup third round tie against Derby County at Anfield this evening.
The 20-year-old boyhood Red, who hails from Huyton, has long been regarded as one of the brighter prospects at the club having joined the Academy at the age of seven.
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The fleet-footed, rapier style has been tentatively likened to that of Fernando Torres and Michael Owen, his dead-eye finishing reminiscent of Robbie Fowler. But, speaking to the ECHO last year, Stewart is keen only to be himself.
"It makes you feel confident, but you can't let it get to your head because I have to keep going and working hard," he said of the lofty comparisons. "I have to just be myself and not try to be anyone else or compare myself to any of the big players who have played for this club or play there now."
Stewart's early promise saw him in the matchday squad as an unused substitute when an under-23 side was compelled to face Aston Villa in the League Cup back in December 2019.
But having been fast-tracked into the higher age group after impressing for both the U18s and in the UEFA Youth League, Stewart suffered a devastating ACL injury when playing for the U23s against West Ham United in March 2021 that kept him on the sidelines for 13 months.
Since returning, the forward has been making up for lost time, scoring six goals in eight Premier League 2 games this season while also netting in the EFL Trophy.
“Before my injury I wasn’t that mentally strong, being totally honest," said Stewart earlier this season. "When I had a bad game I was always hard on myself but since my injury, I know I’m mentally stronger. That is helping me in my game."
And the reward for Stewart's progress is his opportunity at a sell-out Anfield this evening.
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