Liverpool News
Six Liverpool youngsters who could force their way into 2026-27 plans
Six Liverpool academy youngsters could use 2026-27 to turn promise into first-team progress.
Liverpool’s academy has long been a pathway to the first team, with Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Trent Alexander-Arnold among those to emerge from it in the Premier League era. A new group now has the chance to make its own case.
Andoni Iraola’s arrival gives Liverpool’s prospects a fresh opportunity. Preseason will matter, and those who make the right impression could move closer to regular involvement during 2026-27.
Rio Ngumoha may already have taken his first steps. The 17-year-old winger made 29 appearances last season, delivering three goal involvements and enough sharp moments to suggest he can grow beyond a substitute role. His pace, dribbling and confidence in possession have already caused problems for Premier League right backs. Liverpool have added Víctor Muñoz and are expected to bring in another winger after Mohamed Salah’s departure, but Ngumoha still has a route into the side if his output improves. He already has a senior cap for the national team.
Giovanni Leoni’s Liverpool story has barely begun. The center back, signed for $40.7 million from Parma, made only one appearance before an ACL injury on his Carabao Cup debut cut short his first season. Nearly a year later, he is still rebuilding fitness. The club will be careful with him, but the current lack of depth in the position means chances should come once he is ready.
Trey Nyoni has already had substantial exposure to first-team football. Since debuting in 2023-24, the midfielder has made 20 senior appearances in total, including 14 last season. His vision and passing range are clear, even if his slight build has made him a more difficult player to trust in the Premier League and Champions League.
Stefan Bajčetić remains a reminder of how quickly momentum can be interrupted by injury. Once described by Jürgen Klopp as “Top talent, super player,” he has spent long stretches out of action and is still not back in full first-team training.
Jayden Danns has shown what he can do in limited minutes, scoring twice on only his third senior appearance. Fitness setbacks have slowed him, but his pace, power and finishing remain valuable assets. With Hugo Ekitiké sidelined, there is room for a breakthrough if he stays available.
Kieran Morrison also enters the conversation with momentum. The 19-year-old winger earned his first Northern Ireland cap in June 2026 and has already appeared twice for Liverpool’s first team. His next step will be to turn promise into a more regular role.
Liverpool News
Liverpool’s winger search points toward Bradley Barcola
Liverpool need width, and Bradley Barcola has become a prime target for Iraola’s side.
Andoni Iraola made Liverpool’s priorities clear in one of his first media meetings as the club’s new manager: “We definitely need to sign a winger,” he said. The need remains obvious.
Liverpool have already acted by bringing in 23-year-old Victor Muñoz for $46 million, but the Spaniard is still raw and will need time to settle into a new division. That means the issue on the flanks is still unresolved, and Iraola’s first season will demand more than a short-term fix. Liverpool need a proven wide player, not just another project.
That is why Bradley Barcola has emerged as such an obvious fit. The Paris Saint-Germain winger is firmly on Liverpool’s radar, and his profile matches exactly what the team are missing.
A glance at the current squad explains the concern. Alongside Muñoz, Liverpool have only a small number of genuine wide options. Florian Wirtz can operate from the left, while Harvey Elliott can also be used wide if he remains at the club. Even so, only Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa are really established as wingers. Chiesa looks likely to leave this summer after two underwhelming years, which would leave Gakpo and the 17-year-old Ngumoha as the main options. Ngumoha is highly rated, but he cannot be expected to carry that burden so soon. Hugo Ekitiké may also be out until 2027 because of injury, which creates problems at centre forward too.
Barcola’s record with PSG makes clear why Liverpool admire him. After a quiet first season in 2022-23, he has gone on to produce 50 goal involvements over the past two campaigns under Luis Enrique. He has also impressed for France, with strong World Cup performances this summer. His pace, dribbling and finishing ability make him a difficult opponent, and he can attack from either flank by cutting inside or going to the byline. He has also contributed to back-to-back Champions League and Ligue 1 titles, while doing the defensive work required in PSG’s system.
The obstacle is cost and availability. PSG are reluctant to sell, and a move would likely be priced at well over $135 million. Their pursuit of Yan Diomande, who is also a Liverpool target, could alter Barcola’s situation, as could interest in Maghnes Akliouche. If Barcola pushes for a departure, Liverpool may sense an opening.
Iraola has generally used a 4-2-3-1 in England, and that structure could suit Barcola on the right, where he may eventually be viewed as Salah’s replacement. Ekitiké, once fit, could also be used wide, while Alexander Isak remains the club’s main No. 9 despite a difficult debut season.
