Liverpool news as Arne Slot praises star and 'new Curtis Jones' set for chance

Liverpool youngster Kieran Morrison has caught Arne Slot's eye after winning Premier League 2 Player of the Month and could feature in the FA Cup clash with Brighton

Arne Slot has spoken ahead of this weekend's game with Brighton(Image: Liverpool FC)

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has suggested he could ring the changes for Saturday's FA Cup encounter with Brighton, with one youngster catching his eye.

The Reds will be placing their full attention on the fixture, with Slot keen to make an impression in this year's competition. Liverpool suffered an embarrassing exit 12 months ago in a fourth-round upset by Plymouth. The FA Cup, along with the Champions League, now represents the club's remaining opportunity to secure silverware this campaign.

Speaking ahead of the Seagulls fixture, Slot emphasised that he is "always looking at the younger players" and that a "few of them are closer and closer to first-team football." Liverpool.com examines the latest stories emerging from Anfield.

Slot highlights Reds star

Slot has praised the attributes of Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian, 25, joined the Reds from RB Leipzig in July 2023.

Since his arrival, Szoboszlai has progressed from a dependable first-team option to Liverpool's latest talisman. The midfielder has netted nine goals and provided seven assists this campaign, despite being utilised in various roles.

Szoboszlai has also regularly filled in at right-back amid the club's ongoing defensive injury woes. "Szoboszlai, I cannot stop talking about his qualities, close to ridiculous," Slot said in his press conference ahead of the Brighton clash.

Dominik Szoboszlai has been in good form this season(Image: Getty Images)

"On and off the ball, work rate another level, the intensity, he presses, unbelievable technique, game insight, offensive midfielder, right-back, right-winger, all these qualities in these positions, he has been vital for us this and last season. He will continue to be that for us."

'New Curtis Jones'

Liverpool's young talent Kieran Morrison has caused a stir at the club's academy by becoming the first Liverpool player to clinch a Premier League 2 Player of the Month award since Curtis Jones in 2020.

The 19-year-old claimed the accolade after scoring five goals and providing an assist in January. The award takes on even greater significance considering no Liverpool player has won it since Jones was honored six years ago.

Morrison has already featured in several of Slot's matchday squads this season and is anticipated to be included again for the FA Cup clash with Brighton.

The club's U21s coach, Jay Spearing, has also acknowledged that Morrison has attracted Slot's attention. "For us as an academy, it was an unbelievable occasion to see him get the opportunity to be involved," Spearing remarked.

"In the nicest way, we want them to be around the first team and then when they come back, in the nicest way, don't want to be around us. They want to get back there as quickly as they can.

"We speak to the manager most days, we're in his office quite a lot, we speak to him probably three-to-four times a week in his office planning sessions.

"So if the manager says who is playing well, if you're playing well and training well, your name is going to get put in front of him and he will want to see clips, he'll want to see video so that's what's happened to Kieran."