Andoni Iraola praised the performances of Liverpool's young players after their victory over Wrexham in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday evening.
The Spaniard handed opportunities to a host of academy prospects, naming six youth-team players in his starting XI before introducing several more from the bench as the match progressed. Many of Liverpool's senior stars, who only recently returned from the World Cup, remained in Chicago as they continue building their fitness ahead of the final match of the club's pre-season tour of the United States.
Iraola reserved special praise for Luke Chambers in defence, while wingers Josh Abe and Kieran Morrison were singled out as the standout performers. With injuries leaving Liverpool short at the back and the wide areas lacking depth, the trio appear to have taken a significant step towards earning regular involvement with the first-team squad this season.
"I’m happy today because we played a lot of the young players. Some of them had difficult match-ups, [Luke] Chambers playing as a centre-back against big bodies, he covered very well and played very well from the back. The wingers – Josh Abe, Kieran Morrison at the end. Good performances from young players, which I think is always good."
Although Iraola rarely promoted academy graduates during his time at Bournemouth, he was willing to place his faith in talented young signings. Julio Soler, Junior Kroupi and Veljko Milosavljević all received valuable first-team minutes under the Spaniard last season. That could offer encouragement to Liverpool's academy prospects, suggesting that while age alone won't earn opportunities, talent and performances certainly will.
One player who looks particularly well placed to earn more opportunities is Trey Nyoni. The teenager has shown he is capable of providing valuable depth in central midfield and could help fill the gap should Curtis Jones depart before the transfer window closes.
"Trey is very good on the ball, very calm, he reads the situations well. We’re forcing him in the work without the ball, in the press, and he is absolutely doing very well. I think the timings of the jumps are very good. He is always confident on the ball so we encourage him. Sometimes even if he loses the ball, ‘Try to find the No.10, try to find the No.9, even balls in behind, look a little bit further’ because he can do it, because he is so good."
While Iraola has praised the youngster's performances in pre-season so far, he has also made it clear that more will be required if he is to earn regular opportunities in the Premier League. Let's hope we get to see it this year
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