James Pearce names Liverpool academy youngster who was really ‘impressing’ against AC Milan U18s today

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool’s return to the Champions League this season has obviously been greeted with joy by supporters.

The Reds had become used to playing at the top table under Jurgen Klopp and a season spent in the Europa League last year felt strange as a result.

This time, Liverpool are back where they truly belong, though, with a tough-looking away trip to AC Milan first up on the calendar on Tuesday.

One added bonus of the Reds playing in the Champions League is that the youngsters from the Liverpool academy are allowed to take part in the UEFA Youth League.

With the fixtures mirroring that of the first-team squad, the young Reds were in Milan on Tuesday to take on their Italian counterparts.

Michael Laffey stands out for Liverpool

Liverpool’s youth ranks are very much worth keeping an eye on these days. Kirkby has quickly become something of a talent factory.

Part of the reason for that is that the Reds have been able to identify and secure hot prospects from around the rest of the country.

But when they’re not picking up potential superstars like Ben Doak and Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool are still nurturing some of the best local youngsters, too.

One of those who has perhaps been overlooked so far is midfielder Michael Laffey.

Laffey crossed the divide from Everton as an U10s player and was already playing U18s football at 16. Now 18, Laffey has been promoted to the U21s side for the coming season.

Despite that, the teenager turned out for Barry Lewtas’ U18 team as they faced off against AC Milan in the UEFA Youth League on Tuesday.

READ MORE: Barry Lewtas says two 16-year-old’s in Liverpool’s academy could one day make the first-team

And according to journalist James Pearce, Laffey did really well during the opening half. Along with Kieran Morrison, Trey Nyoni and Trent Kone-Doherty, the Scouser was one of the players Pearce picked out of the first half an hour.

“Decent opening 25mins from Lewtas’ side,” said the reporter. “Nyoni driving them forward. Kone-Doherty and Morrison lively down the flanks. Laffey impressing in holding role.”

“Now Laffey to the rescue after a slip from Nallo,” Pearce later wrote.

Who else played for Liverpool?

Running concurrently with the first-team games, there is often plenty of attention on these match-ups between high-profile sides.

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes was spotted watching the game alongside FSG’s technical director Pedro Marques.

And as he watched on, Hughes would have seen an impressive looking Liverpool XI take to the field.

Players already on the first-team radar included Amara Nallo and Trey Nyoni, with Morrison another who has earned some good reviews.

New signings Rio Ngumoha and Alvin Ayman both started from the bench for the Reds.