A new Trent from the academy, one Man United may regret slipping away and a ‘Rolls Royce’ centre back… LEWIS STEELE on the kids hoping to make an impact for Liverpool against PSV Eindhoven

Arne Slot did not hide the fact he could not care a jot about the result when his side take on PSV Eindhoven tonight.

The Liverpool manager has been afforded a luxury that certainly is not the case at Premier League rivals Manchester City and Aston Villa — both of whom have something riding on their final European league phase game.

That is, of course, because Liverpool have achieved a clean sweep of victories and are guaranteed to finish in the top two spots. As Slot says, topping the league or being runners-up makes no difference in the latter stages.

It means 12 first-team heavyweights have remained in England: Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate and Luis Diaz — plus injured trio Joe Gomez, Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones.

Plenty of youngsters and fringe players will thus get a chance to impress – including the likes of Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa, stepping up their fitness after injuries and keen to prove Slot why they are good enough to start more games.

Walking past the squad out for a stroll in Eindhoven this morning prompted a reaction of “oh, there’s the youth players” due to so many surprise faces – but it was the first team for tonight and here, Mail Sport runs the rule over those in the matchday party who you may not be aware of…

TRENT KONE-DOHERTY (18, forward)

The best Trent to come out of Liverpool’s academy for several years if nothing else.

A catchy name makes this 18-year-old one of the players fans have high hopes for – and they are justified. He is a talented player who can play across the front line and always looks dangerous when watching him for the age-group sides.

Born in Derry, the Republic of Ireland youth international starred for Derry City and had been on the bench for a League of Ireland Premier Division aged just 15 before moving to Liverpool in 2022, where he signed a professional deal in October 2023.

Gerry Doherty (no relation), was the chairman of his first team Foyle Harps for nearly 50 years and said on Kone-Doherty in 2022: ‘There were about twenty youngsters in that age group but you could always see Trent was special because he had one thing — blinding pace.

‘And not only could he run but he could finish. A lot of boys can run but when they get close to goal they don’t know what to do. Trent was not like that.’

KIERAN MORRISON (18, attacking midfielder)

Morrison, like Kone-Doherty, was born in Northern Ireland to strengthen Liverpool’s Ulster connection which also includes academy graduate Conor Bradley, Coleraine-born chief scout Barry Hunter and director of global talent Matt Newberry, from County Down.

Watching the academy in the last 18 months, it is clear Morrison is one of the most talented stars at Kirkby. He can play in multiple positions – the left-footer is comfortable sitting behind the striker but has been known to feature on the wings or as a false No 9.

Morrison was poached from Manchester United’s academy at Under 14 level and the Old Trafford club could come to regret letting him slip away. He has been compared to Curtis Jones – not just because he looks similar – and has an excellent catalogue of goals from distance.

The 18-year-old was born in Cheetham Hill, Manchester but qualifies to play for Northern Ireland through his Newry-born grandmother and has played for the Under 17s and 19s. He is a regular in Slot’s first-team training.

JAMES NORRIS (21, left back)

Norris has actually already made his first-team debut as a 17-year-old in 2019 – in the EFL Cup – and, after spending last year on loan at local club Tranmere Rovers, will be hoping for a second bite at the cherry here.

As a left back, it would not be a surprise if Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas share minutes tonight so his path to minutes could be blocked – but we will see. 

Norris was also on the bench for Liverpool’s trip to Girona in December.

AMARA NALLO (18, centre back)

Watching Nallo play for the academy this season, sometimes it is easy to forget he is just 18. He towers above forwards, bullies them off the ball and has a calmness in possession that belies his lack of experience.

He could be in line for a debut tonight – certainly off the bench – if Slot decides to rotate. With Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez not here, the only senior central defender is Jarell Quansah, though midfielder Wataru Endo is likely to start in the heart of defence.

Nallo was signed from West Ham in summer 2023 and Hammers youth coach and former striker Carlton Cole described him as ‘a Rolls Royce of a centre-back’ with a ‘high ceiling’. He is a leader-like figure in the youth team.

ISAAC MABAYA (20, right back)

Described by academy experts as a ‘popular lad’ at the training base and Under 21s boss Barry Lewtas said recently: ‘He is a fantastic character. He’s a strong boy, we’ve had these moments before with players who’ve come through the other side, we’ll just keeping working hard.’

Lewtas was discussing the injuries that have stalled Mabaya’s developments in recent years but he looks to be back to full fitness now. The 20-year-old can play in midfield and right back and the experience of travelling to Eindhoven – even if he is unlikely to feature – will be invaluable.

The positional change is similar to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who regularly featured in midfield before being moulded into a right back by Jurgen Klopp.

ANYONE ELSE?

As mentioned, tonight is a big chance for summer signing Chiesa to impress. The Italian has played just 25 league minutes in three substitute appearances after struggling for fitness since his move from Juventus.

But the last two cameos have shown a willing runner and someone who is able to cause problems for defences. He scored in the FA Cup against Accrington earlier this month and needs to follow that up with a positive display in Eindhoven.

Elliott is another who has a chance to prove to Slot why he deserves more minutes after missing two months with a broken foot. Endo is clearly not fancied by the new manager but is a useful squad player and a leader-like figure.

Trey Nyoni, the talented midfielder, should get some minutes and No 6 James McConnell – who featured under Klopp last season but was injured at the start of this term – is in the same category. Striker Jayden Danns is liked by Slot and should get a chance tonight.