Liverpool youngster Kieran Morrison is ready to make his mark on the international stage during Northern Ireland’s World Cup play-off with Italy.
It has been a whirlwind season for the 19-year-old, who has forced his way into the first-team picture at Anfield.
Following two senior appearances, and many more matchday inclusions, Morrison was called up by Michael O’Neil to face Italy on Thursday. If he gets on the pitch, expect the Liverpool starlet to send a message to Arne Slot about why he deserves even more involvement with the Reds.
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Morrison could be a difference-maker for his country
Although Italy are not the force they so often have been in international football, they will still enter Thursday’s semi-final as favourites to progress and face Wales or Bosnia Herzegovina for a place at the World Cup.
With their status as underdogs firmly attached, O’Neil’s team will also have to make do without captain Conor Bradley as he continues to recover from injury.
They do have experienced players such as Josh Magennis and Isaac Price to count on for goals, but it is a stark fact that O’Neil has only four Premier League players – including Morrison – as part of his 28-man squad.
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As a result, it is easy to see how a player as lively and enigmatic as Liverpool’s teenaged winger could make a big difference to proceedings.
Morrison is unlikely to start, but having been called up for such a crucial fixture, there is every chance that he comes off the bench against Italy. From there, it would not be a surprise if he were to conjure something which could really put his name in lights.
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As Rob Page said after handing him the captaincy for the Liverpool U21s, Morrison has been ‘shining’ in the academy this season.
Although some may sniff at a country who call up a player after only two senior appearances, Morrison’s form at underage level has meant that he fully deserves his international call-up.
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He underlined that once again on Sunday as he hit Liverpool’s only goal of the game during a disappointing 5-1 Premier League 2 defeat against Crystal Palace.
It was a gift of a goal from the Palace keeper, but Morrison still showed swagger and confidence to dispatch his shot, highlighting once again that he is ready for a bigger stage.
While many would like to see him more often in what remains of Liverpool’s season, Thursday’s enormous game will give him exactly that. If he can grasp the opportunity about to be presented to him, it would be no surprise if we then see Morrison more often in red.
Tricky, quick and supremely confident, Morrison appears to have been built for moments like the one facing him for his country. He could be about to show just how high his ceiling really is.
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