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Two Liverpool summer signings made their first appearances for the club's Under-21s on Saturday as it played out a 0-0 draw against Hull City’s youth team.
The Under-21s have no official fixtures confirmed yet for the upcoming season, with the Premier League still to make an announcement on the schedule for the Under-21 league, but in the meantime, the underage side has played four summer matches.
After wins over Celtic and Lens, plus a draw against Wigan Athletic, Liverpool hosted Hull on Saturday. In total, 21 players featured for Rob Page’s side, with all 10 outfielders changed after an hour. Goalkeeper Armin Pecsi was the only player to manage the full 90 minutes.
The Hungarian joined the Reds from Puskas Akademia earlier this summer and was one of seven new arrivals this window to travel with Arne Slot’s first-team squad on the pre-season tour of Asia.
But Pecsi, who has come in mainly to play for the Under-21s and strengthen the backup group supporting Alisson, didn’t play a single minute of the matches against AC Milan and Yokohama F.Marinos.
However, as featured in the 5-0 win over Stoke City, Saturday’s outing against Hull wasn't his first in a Liverpool shirt.
Another summer signing, Will Wright, did make his bow the Reds. His move from Salford City was only completed this week, and he is also expected to play for the Under-21s this term.
The 17-year-old had attracted interest from Arsenal, but opted to remain in the north-west. Fans will certainly keep an eye on the forward’s progress this season given his high-profile transfer.
Meanwhile, several other familiar names were on show for Liverpool on Saturday at the AXA Training Centre. Calvin Ramsey and Lewis Koumas were among the starters, while Amara Nallo, Kieran Morrison and Kaide Gordon came off the bench.
The Under-21s will be hoping for an improved campaign in 2025/26 and finished 16th in a 26-team league last term.
Page’s appointment is seen as a coup for the academy, with Simon Wiles confirmed as Under-18 head coach on Friday.
Speaking in a recent interview with Liverpool’s club website, Page spoke of his excitement to return to the club game.
“They [Liverpool] have had difficult moments over the years [at youth level] and even more so recently, and seeing the club react to it all together, the connection between the players, the supporters and the staff has been incredible. This is a very special club.
“For me to come back into development football at a massive club like Liverpool – who smashed the Premier League last season, seeing what they have done in the transfer window again – and work with some of the younger talents here and try to help develop top players into the first-team environment or help them to go on and have careers elsewhere, it was definitely an exciting option for me.”
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