Liverpool set to play 19-year-old defender in pre-season, Klopp thinks he ‘has everything’

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Liverpool youngster Luke Chambers will be given the chance to impress with the senior side during pre-season.

Chambers came onto the radar 12 months ago with a string of good performances during the Reds’ summer trip to the Far Eat. Ultimately, that led to him securing a successful loan move to Scottish side Kilmarnock.

And now, in a Q&A with fans, The Athletic journalist James Pearce says he expects Chambers to be given a chance this year, too. Fellow youngster Tyler Morton and Conor Bradley also look set to be handed an opportunity to shine.

“Liverpool’s academy is in safe hands with Alex Inglethorpe at the helm,” began Pearce when asked if Liverpool should be producing more home-grown players. “You have to factor in how hard it is for a young player to establish himself in a team that prior to last season had been consistently challenging for the biggest prizes. Yes, you always want more, but the fact Liverpool’s resurgence towards the end of the season was spearheaded by two gifted Scousers should be a source of pride.

“Then you’ve got Conor Bradley, Tyler Morton and Luke Chambers, who all kicked on impressively while out on loan last season. I’d expect to see them given chances in pre-season.”

Chambers set for pre-season chance

The question of how can Liverpool get more out of their academy is indeed a fair one. When compared to some of their Premier League rivals, the Reds’ don’t produce as many first team stars.

As Pearce points out though, that is perhaps starting to change. The likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones are the obvious ones, but there’s plenty more besides.

Youngsters like Stefan Bajcetic and Kaide Gordon may have been brought in from elsewhere, but they’ve still developed in the Liverpool academy. So too has Ben Doak, who looks set for a big season in the first team.

And then you’ve got the trio Pearce mentions here. Of the three, Chambers’ loan spell in 2022/23 was easily the lowest profile. But the 19-year-old was was just as impressive.

Prior to joining Kilmarnock in January, Jurgen Klopp himself had already name-checked Chambers as one to watch.

Speaking after Liverpool’s 3-1 friendly loss against Lyon in December, Klopp raved about the young left-back. The boss even suggested a change of position may be in order.

“When I look at Luke Chambers I think ‘wow, he has everything for a centre half, apart from a body,'” Klopp said via This Is Anfield. It sounds like Jurgen hasn’t forgotten about the youngster in the time in-between. Go and grab your chance, Luke!