One of the main storylines of Liverpool’s first pre-season under Arne Slot has been the lack of star names.
With no Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk or Alisson – to name just three – it has felt somewhat like a band doing a world tour without their lead singer.
That has been a problem for the new Dutch head coach as he tries to drill home his ideologies and new style in lieu of many of his main protagonists. But the blessing in disguise is that this has offered the chance of a lifetime for some youngsters and fringe players to thrive.
From returning loanees like Fabio Carvalho to youth prodigies such as teenager Trey Nyoni, many have been given the chance to prove to Slot they are good enough to be part of his plans.
Here, Mail Sport looks at which players have taken that opportunity…
Several youngsters have impressed on Liverpool's pre-season tour of the USA this summer
Arne Slot has been forced to work without many of his star names at the start of his tenure
FABIO CARVALHO
The Portugal-born star spent the latter half of last season on loan at Hull City after a poor stint at RB Leipzig. Speaking to Mail Sport last week, he said he was ready to make the step up and prove Slot he is ready for a big role.
After signing from Fulham in 2022, Carvalho has made 21 appearances for Liverpool but his long-term future remains up in the air. A long list of clubs, at home and on the continent, are keen on taking the 21-year-old – but the Reds would only entertain a permanent move.
Despite the interest – from clubs such as Fulham, Southampton and Leicester – Carvalho’s main focus is to impress Slot. The Dutch coach has been working very intensely with Carvalho and it is understood he told the player his best position was on the left wing rather than No 10.
He showed some glimpses against both Real Betis and Arsenal in the States but, with the likes of Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo to return, it feels like his game time will be limited. Still, he is the player Slot was working most closely with at open training so he is clearly not being forced out.
Mail Sport verdict: stick around until January.
It is a big summer for Fabio Carvalho, who has said he's ready to step up for a key first team role
TREY NYONI
One of the shining lights of Liverpool’s pre-season tour. Slot said he was surprised at the level of some young players and, though he would not give much away in terms of names, it is fair to guess that Nyoni was one of those.
The midfielder, who joined from Leicester this time last year in Liverpool’s recruitment drive to poach talented starlets in their mid-teens, turned 17 only last month and was the player of the match in the Reds’ 1-0 win over Real Betis last week.
He constantly got on the ball and looked to make things happen with silky runs through midfield and punchy passes. Against Arsenal, he played in a slightly deeper-lying role and Slot has said he needs to work on his defensive game. But based on pre-season, he is a star in the making.
Mail Sport verdict: ready for the first team.
Trey Nyoni has been one of the shining lights of Liverpool’s pre-season tour at the age of just 17
STEFAN BAJCETIC
A horrible year for the Spaniard due to a worrying injury – to cut a long story short, it was essentially growing pains. Slot is keen to manage his game-time this season after a breakthrough campaign in 2022-23 where he played 19 matches.
He has lost a close ally in the exit of Thiago Alcantara, who came through the same Galicia youth team. But Bajcetic is highly-rated and will have a part to play this year. Johnny Heitinga, one of Slot’s backroom team, has been putting on individual sessions for the 19-year-old.
Mail Sport verdict: ready for the first team.
Stefan Bajcetic is highly-rated and will have a part to play after an injury-ravaged season
LUKE CHAMBERS
Described as a ‘diamond of a boy’ from his former boss at Kilmarnock, Derek McInnes, last year in an interview with Mail Sport.
The Scotsman went on to say Chambers is the best loanee he has ever worked with due to his attitude. Chambers spent the latter half of last season at Wigan and it is understood he is set to head back to the League One club. Sources close to Chambers say he snubbed Championship interest for that move, which will be reviewed in January.
Mail Sport verdict: go out on loan.
KAIDE GORDON
Became the youngest-ever Liverpool goal scorer in 2021 but has struggled since, with a similar injury to Bajcetic. ‘It's the hardest time, there's always ups and downs – you think you're coming back at a certain time and you get told no, it's longer,’ he said this week.
There is interest in the winger, still only 19, from lower-league English clubs and it feels like a loan is needed after an awful year or so with injury. Plenty of current first-teamers have been sent out on loan so it does not have to spell the end for Gordon.
Mail Sport verdict: go out on loan.
Kaide Gordon (right) became Liverpool's youngest-goalscorer in 2021 but has struggled since
BEN DOAK
Dubbed the ‘Tasmanian devil’ this time last year by captain Van Dijk, Doak played in the Premier League opener against Chelsea last season and one wondered if he was set for a huge breakout season.
But after a nasty meniscus injury prompted surgery, Doak was barely seen again. He missed out on Scotland’s European Championship squad with another injury, too. But the 18-year-old is a class act, one of the best talents in Liverpool’s academy with a lightning-quick turn of pace.
There is interest from Leicester and Southampton – to name just two clubs – for a loan move. Doak is set to sit down with Slot and transfer guru Richard Hughes next week to discuss what is best for his development.
Without comparing the players’ abilities, his situation is reminiscent of the Phil Foden conundrum at Manchester City many years ago. Is it best to get experience on loan or would he be better suited to barely playing but being around the manager and star players every day?
Mail Sport verdict: go out on loan.
Ben Doak has got so much potential but this season is the time for the Scot to go out on loan
JAMES McCONNELL
Another with plenty of loan interest, a list that would fill this whole paragraph, with Championship clubs keeping tabs. McConnell has not been seen on this tour due to a slight knock but he had a breakthrough year last season and now needs more regular game-time.
The 19-year-old, poached from Sunderland’s academy in his mid-teens, was an advanced midfielder in his youth football days but was moulded into a No 6 by Jurgen Klopp and Co last year. That versatility will be crucial to Slot’s more calm style of play.
Mail Sport verdict: go out on loan.
VITEZSLAV JAROS
If Caoimhin Kelleher does not leave – and no bids have been received yet – the big Czech goalkeeper will be the third-choice shot-stopper this term. But will he be happy with that? Jaros won the Austrian Bundesliga and cup double at Sturm Graz last season.
He has also played in European football and was part of the Czech squad in Germany this summer. The 23-year-old is certainly good enough for Liverpool – but it remains to be seen whether he will be happy with this bit-part role.
Mail Sport verdict: ready for the first team.
Vitezslav Jaros enjoyed a brilliant loan spell in Austria last season and is ready for the first team
OWEN BECK
Beck was the best left back in Scotland last season with two stints at Dundee. The 21-year-old Welshman has interest from Celtic but Liverpool want a sale over another loan.
Beck, though, does have lots of loan interest from QPR and a host of top-end Championship clubs. He could go out on loan and boost his value to fight for a place next year or be sold for more.
Given Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas and Joe Gomez can play left back, it feels like Beck will barely get a sniff this season. Maybe a loan will be best again this summer.
Mail Sport verdict: go out on loan.
AMARA NALLO
We saw Nallo for the first time against Arsenal in Philadelphia after the defender moved from West Ham last summer. Coaches have been delighted with his developments and he has come on this tour as a reward for a stellar first season in the academy.
Mail Sport verdict: continue to develop in academy.
Amara Nallo got a place on this tour as a reward for a stellar first season in the academy
LEWIS KOUMAS
Was the star of the show as he scored against Southampton in the FA Cup last season and Koumas definitely has a bright future at Liverpool. There is a fair bit of interest for a loan and it remains to be seen how Liverpool plan on using him.
The same could be said for fellow forward Jayden Danns, who is not on this tour due to an injury. Reports that Danns is close to joining Wayne Rooney at Plymouth last week were wide of the mark.
Mail Sport verdict: continue to develop in academy.
SEPP VAN DEN BERG
Perhaps the most interesting one on this list. The Dutch defender told reporters last week how he was effectively being priced out of a move, with the £20million valuation slapped on his head being ‘majorly high’.
Liverpool have reached that number based on other transactions this summer. Dean Huijsen played just nine Serie A games before Bournemouth paid £15m for him, while Southampton bought Taylor Harwood-Bellis for £20m after two good seasons in the second tier.
Van den Berg has played two seasons in the Bundesliga and two in the Championship so the club believe £20m is fair. He has put in two stellar displays so far in pre-season and has been one of the best performers in training. Certainly not definite that he leaves.
Mail Sport verdict: ready for the first team.
Sepp van den Berg said he was being priced out of a move but he may have a role to play
TYLER MORTON
A well liked figure at Anfield who snubbed interest from Everton to join as a kid. Morton has played in the Champions League for the Reds but spent last season on loan at Hull, where he was one of the best midfielders in the Championship.
RB Leipzig, Atalanta, Leicester and Ipswich are among clubs to have registered an interest in signing him. Liverpool would want a sale over a loan and value him at around £20m. The Reds are stocked in midfield and, although Morton is a classy player, his chances might be limited.
Mail Sport verdict: leave on permanent deal.
Although Tyer Morton is a classy player, his chances might be limited and he could be sold
HARVEY BLAIR
Poached from rivals Manchester United as a kid, Blair is a talented prospect. Like many of the list, lower-league clubs are keeping tabs after a couple of pre-season cameos. At 20, it feels like he needs to develop with regular game-time.
Mail Sport verdict: go out on loan.
LUCA STEPHENSON
Stephenson is a Sunderland fan who idolises Lee Cattermole and loves playing darts. He has hit the bullseye on this tour by featuring against Real Betis and then playing the second half in the win over Arsenal, where he kept Leandro Trossard quiet.
He spent last season on loan at League Two Barrow and was adored by their fanbase. Is it too much of an ask to step up to play a role this season? Just look at Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah, who were in League One 18 months ago but are now first-team regulars.
Saying that, though, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez are still to return to training so the right back’s chances will be limited. Another loan seems the best move for the 20-year-old’s development.
Mail Sport verdict: go out on loan.
Luca Stephenson was hugely popular on loan at Barrow last season and another loan suits
HARVEY DAVIES
Has not featured yet on the tour and will be surprising if he sticks around at Liverpool for much longer. The goalkeeper spent last season on loan at League Two Crewe Alexandra but he was booed by the Railwaymen fans for a string of bad errors. Made up the numbers in training drills.
Mail Sport verdict: leave on permanent deal.
MARCELO PITALUGA
Liverpool cut short a loan spell at Irish club St Patrick’s Athletic for the goalkeeper to make up the numbers on the tour of America. St Pat’s manager said: ‘He’s a breath of fresh air, a great guy with a big future ahead of him.’ Feels like he needs another loan, though.
Mail Sport verdict: go out on loan.