Liverpool midfielder Elijah Dixon-Bonner is poised to make his first team debut against Aston Villa and take the Carabao Cup by storm.
Today is a day for debuts. So many debuts. Six Liverpool players are set to start their first ever game for the Reds tonight against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup. But there is none more exciting than Elijah Dixon-Bonner.
The fixture clash with World Club Cup semi-final has given a host of young players the chance to step out at Villa Park and make a name for themselves.
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Harvey Elliott, Sepp van den Berg and Ki-Jana Hoever are the ‘stars’ of this Carabo Cup side – players who have already featured under Jurgen Klopp and will fly out to join the first team squad in Qatar after the game.
There are a number of players I’m eager to see this evening for the first time at senior level including Herbie Kane and Luis Longstaff; two players who have been progressing very well at the under-19 and reserve level. But Dixon-Bonner is the debutant who is nearest to being ready for the first team.
The midfielder has become a regular captain for the Under-23 side – showing more leadership and quality than some of the players older than him. He looks like a Premier League player and would have had an opportunity before now if it weren’t for the depth of midfield options Klopp has at his disposal.
Dixon-Bonner’s progress and potential were recently acknowledged by the club when the signed him to a contract extension less than a year after he signed his fist professional deal with the club. They want to keep him happy and keep him around Melwood.
Keen watchers of the reserves know how good he is. Tonight he gets to show the rest of the fanbase and the watching world that Elijah Dixon-Bonner is a name to remember.