Arne Slot calls up TWO outstanding talents ahead of Leverkusen clash

Liverpool have experienced a difficult season already on the injury front with several first-team regulars and fringe players alike missing matches thus far for Arne Slot.

Top stars like Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota are currently absent and not expected back before the international break while Harvey Elliott is also closing in on a return after around two months out.

Others such as Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones have also missed game time with various knocks while summer signing Federico Chiesa is still waiting for his Liverpool career to get going after an injury setback.

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Arne Slot turns to Liverpool academy

Slot’s squad depth has been tested throughout his record-breaking start to life as Liverpool head coach with the Dutchman utilising the academy with players like Vitezslav Jaros, Tyler Morton and Trey Nyoni earning first-team minutes.

With the Reds fighting on four fronts, it’s going to be an exacting campaign ahead. And prior to the club’s Champions League tie against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night, Slot has boosted his squad with the inclusion of two more academy stars.

Hill and Norris with first-team squad

Tom Hill has been in and around the first team for a few seasons now, making his debut under Jurgen Klopp back in 2019 during a heavy 5-0 League Cup defeat to Aston Villa.

The 22-year-old versatile midfielder was named in Slot’s Champions League squad earlier this season and he has been training ahead of the clash with Xabi Alonso’s Bundesliga champions.

Alongside him is fellow academy graduate James Norris, a 21-year-old left-back of considerable promise.

With Kostas Tsimikas now challenging Andy Robertson for his once nailed-on left-back spot, there could be an opportunity for Norris to stake his claim for a regular squad berth in the near future.

He too has been in and around the first team, playing twice for the seniors including that aforementioned game against Villa as well as in the FA Cup game against Shrewsbury in 2022.

While it’s unlikely either starts for Liverpool on Tuesday night, it will be pleasing for fans to see the academy continue to turn out talents deemed worth of a call-up by the first team.

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