Liverpool academy striker Layton Stewart has been training with the first-team squad as they prepare to face Manchester United.
With Darwin Nunez suspended and Diogo Jota injured, Liverpool are a little short up-front. As a result, Stewart was called up by Jurgen Klopp today.
The 19-year-old had been a renowned goalscorer for the under-age sides in recent years, until an ACL injury halted his development.
Stewart picked up where he left off at the end of last season with a goal on his return to action. Although unlikely that he’ll be in the squad on Monday, Klopp’s lack of options means that should he impress, there is an outside shot.
Liverpool looking light up-front
It isn’t really ideal preparation for Liverpool as they head into the biggest game of the season so far.
Klopp would obviously have preferred to have been able to count on his more senior options for this one. But as things stand, Liverpool are pretty much a Roberto Firmino injury away from Stewart or perhaps Bobby Clark leading the line at Old Trafford.
That isn’t to belittle the two academy striker’s talents. Clark made the bench against Crystal Palace and has continued to train with the first-team since. But the fact remains that both are completely unproven at any kind of senior level.
Liverpool have high aspirations for this season, and it’s unlikely that they’d hit them with such inexperience in a key position.
But what an opportunity for the two boys. After such a torrid time with injury, Stewart in particular deserves his chance.
Prior to missing almost a year, he had looked on course to potentially be an option for the first-team. Now that that belated recognition has arrived, he needs to give it everything he’s got.
The chance to play at Old Trafford for Liverpool is now a somewhat realistic option. Perhaps it never will be again. If that isn’t motivation to go full throttle in training, then nothing will be. Best of luck, Layton, give it your all.
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