With most of his Liverpool squad yet to return from international duty, Jurgen Klopp got a chance to watch more of the club’s brightest prospects in training.
The international break ended on Wednesday and the players started to return to the AXA training centre, but a small group took part in the first training session after returning.
Wataru Endo was the only player to feature in the tournament, his time with Japan coming to a premature end following the cancellation of their World Cup qualifier in North Korea. Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Ryan Grafenbrech, James McConnell and Adrian are the only senior players training in the 13-man squad.
The rest of the squad consists of academy call-ups, including a rare sighting of 17-year-old Kieran Morrison in the first team. Signed from Manchester United as an Under-14 player, the teenager can play a variety of roles, including as a No.8, but has been used more frequently on the right wing this season.
He was one of six teenagers who took part in Wednesday’s training session, along with midfielder Carter Binnington, 17, another player with little experience. Midfielder Trey Nyony (16), winger Trent Cooney Doherty (17) and goalkeeper Cornel Mesquior (16) are among the most consistent players alongside 19-year-old McConnell.
Morrison was one of the club’s academy stars throughout the season, scoring 11 goals and five assists in 22 matches for the Under-18s and five matches for the Under-21s. He is unlikely to be a full-time graduate, however,
there is also the possibility that he could be given a chance during pre-season training under Liverpool’s next boss.
While the club are yet to confirm the news, Morrison is understood to have signed a new three-year contract with Liverpool earlier this year.