Manager confirms he would LOVE to sign Liverpool star

Liverpool are known for having success with their academy players, with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones coming up through the ranks.

They have plenty of talent out on loan for the 2024/25 season. Lewis Koumas signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool before joining Championship side Stoke City on loan, making 36 appearances for the club so far.

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Ben Doak is also currently on a season-long loan at Middlesbrough. The highly-rated winger has previously had interest from Crystal Palace and Ipswich which were rejected by Liverpool, but now they are reportedly considering using him in a deal to secure Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.

It is clear that Liverpool’s academy continues to produce talent, but one that seems to have slipped under the radar is Luca Stephenson. The 21-year-old midfielder joined Liverpool from Sunderland’s academy in 2018.

He captained Liverpool’s under-18 side for the 2020/21 season and also went on to captain the under-21’s, establishing himself as a versatile player as he could play centre-back and right-back in addition to his midfield role.

Success at Dundee United

2023/24 saw him on loan to League Two side Barrow, where he became a regular and narrowly missed out on the play-offs. He is currently on loan to Dundee United for this season, having made 34 appearances for them.

Despite having a year left on his contract at Anfield, Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin praised Stephenson’s performance and has expressed interest in taking him permanently this summer.

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He said: “I couldn’t be any happier with how those (loan) signings have done for us.

“Luca is one that - if he were to become available in the summer and not extend his contract at Liverpool, then we would love to be at the table talking to him.”

Where will he go next?

Mail journalist Lewis Bower has labelled him as always being ‘head and shoulders of his age groups in the midfield departments’.

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Although Dundee United may be keen to sign Stephenson, Arne Slot will certainly have his eye on him after impressive pre-season performances for Liverpool in the squad against Arsenal and Manchester United.

It is not clear whether he will return to the Reds for next season, but he will certainly have options.