Five Liverpool players aiming to make full debut vs Union SG including son of ex-Premier League star
Liverpool have named a collection of academy players in their 23-man squad to face Union SG in the Europa League
Liverpool could hand out several debuts in their Europa League clash with Union SG.
The Reds have already booked their place in the round of 16, with the club opting to leave Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah at home. Combined with Liverpool’s growing injury list, it has led a number of youngsters to step into the senior squad. In total, 13 of the 23-man group that travelled to Belgium are aged 21 or younger. Curtis Joness, 22, and Dominik Szoboszlai, 23, are among the most experienced players.
This means that fans could be about to get a closer look at a number of players who have starred at academy level. Klopp has consistently used the Europa League as a means to test out young players, with Ben Doak, Luke Chambers, Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley all featuring during the group stage.
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Union SG will have plenty to play for as they look to continue their European campaign. Meanwhile, a handful of Liverpool players could be handed their first start for the club against the Belgian side
Young forward Lewis Koumas, son of ex-Premier League midfielder Jason, has been included in a senior matchday squad for the first time. The 18-year-old has scored three goals and provided two assists in four league games for Liverpool U21s, so far this season.
He is joined by defender Calum Scanlon, 18, and midfielder James McConnell, 19, both of whom have already had a brief taste of first-team action. The pair both came off the bench in the 5-1 win over Toulouse - with McConnell also earning a late cameo against Brentford - and will be hoping to make their first start for the Reds.
In goal, Alisson’s return to fitness should mean that Caoimhin Kelleher continues to deputise in cup competitions. However, the two other goalkeepers in the squad are also waiting to make their first team debut.
Brazilian keeper Marcelo Pitaluga, 20, was first included in a matchday squad, back in October 2021 and was on the bench for Liverpool’s home win over LASK in November. Fabian Mrozek, 20, is the other ‘keeper to have travelled with the team and is also waiting for his debut, having been named on the bench against Union SG and Toulouse.
Elsewhere, forward Kaide Gordon, 19, will be seeking to return to first team action after recovering from injury, having last featured for Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal in January 2022. Similarly, winger Tom Hill, 21, could make his second appearance for the club after being given his debut as part of a youthful Carabao Cup XI while the first team were away at the Club World Cup, back in 2019.