Arne Slot calls up 15-year-old talent to join in Liverpool training

Exciting young winger Josh Abe stepped up to take part in a first-team training session this week after impressing Arne Slot and his backroom staff while playing for Liverpool's U18s

Arne Slot called 15-year-old Josh Abe up to first-team training(Image: Getty Images)

Arne Slot called up a 15-year-old academy player to training this week, as Josh Abe made the step up at the AXA Training Center.

With most of Liverpool's senior players on a recovery day following Wednesday's win over Qarabag in the Champions League, Abe was required to fill in during a first-team training session. Teenage winger Abe has emerged as one of the most promising talents in the Liverpool academy, registering three goals and two assists in seven appearances in the U18 Premier League this season.

Abe is attracting interest from a host of top clubs, including Chelsea and Arsenal, while he recently signed a deal with Tyler Alexander-Arnold’s PLG Agency, but Liverpool is hopeful of keeping hold of the youngster.

Meanwhile, Arne Slot spoke highly of the young players in his senior squad during a press conference on Friday, after Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni and Amara Nallo emerged as substitutes during Wednesday's Champions League thumping of Qarabag.

"Trey [Nyoni] and Amara [Nallo] came in and they've mainly come in games either in the League Cup or games where we were leading by a big margin," Slot said.

"So for them it was a good first taste of first-team football – not [a] first taste but close to first taste.

"With Rio [Ngumoha], that is completely different, in my opinion.

"He also comes in when we need a goal or in moments when the game hasn't been decided yet.

"I think Trey showed when he came in that he comes closer and closer to a situation where I can also bring him in.

"He has developed really nicely in the last year, gets closer and closer to come in in moments that matter even more.

"That is how things work with young players – you make step after step after step until the manager trusts you enough to play in difficult moments.

"That has already happened for Rio, and Trey is really close to that moment.

"Amara is a bit further from that but very nice for him after his difficult start at the first team – two red cards [in his first two appearances for Liverpool last season] – that he was mentally so strong, kept fighting, doing good in the U21s and now he got his reward [with] playing time in the first team."

Liverpool's next game is against Newcastle at Anfield on Saturday.