Liverpool can boast quite a few proficient centre-backs of their academy, and U21s coach Barry Lewtas believes a “rock stable” partnership could possibly be forming.
There was a way of disappointment amongst some followers that Liverpool didn’t add one other centre-back to Arne Slot‘s squad within the switch window.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have since reprised their first-choice pairing, with Jarell Quansah third alternative and Joe Gomez additionally obtainable.
Past that, Liverpool’s different choices stay within the academy, with Amara Nallo, 17, and Wellity Fortunate, 18, two of the standouts in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with AC Milan U19s within the UEFA Youth League.
On a irritating afternoon for the younger Reds, the clear sheet could possibly be thought of an actual optimistic, with Lewtas hailing his centre-back duo afterwards.
“A clear sheet is very large for them,” he instructed the Liverpool Echo.
“There’s been a couple of video games this season the place there was a couple of errors and issues like that however they have been rock stable to be truthful to them.
“They blocked, they tackled, they headed the whole lot away and I assumed at occasions they have been the moments we have been fairly good in possession as properly and we simply couldn’t transfer up the pitch sufficient as a crew.”
Nallo is already acquainted with the first-team setup however Fortunate, the Spanish teenager, is but to be concerned commonly with the senior squad.
They’ve began three of the U21s’ 5 video games collectively up to now this season, together with the U19s’ first sport of the UEFA Youth League marketing campaign.
It’s possible they are going to be known as upon once more on Sunday, when Lewtas’ aspect return to motion at house to Derby within the league – although the Reds additionally possess one other high-potential centre-back in Carter Pinnington, 17.
And with Liverpool but so as to add one other defender to Slot’s squad within the switch market, it could possibly be that the pathway is left open for a minimum of certainly one of their promising children.
The UEFA Youth League will definitely help their growth, as will battling with senior sides from League One and League Two as a part of the EFL Trophy, with Harrogate City up subsequent on Tuesday night time.
“I believe we could be fairly proud how we saved the ball out the opposite finish,” Lewtas continued of the attract Milan.
“Kornel [Misciur] made a few good saves however I assumed we did properly, I assumed we caught at it and 0-0 away from the house in a contest like that is at all times a great consequence and I believe it’s one thing to construct on.”
