Arne Slot takes tough decision to REPLACE Liverpool star with wonderkid

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has made the difficult decision to replace one of his first-team stars. Is it a move that will pay off?

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Arne Slot hasn't had too many squad decisions to make since taking over at Liverpool. That's primarily because the club didn't give him any to make.

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Federico Chiesa was the only arrival, after all, and he was a punt. Liverpool are still hoping to get him up to speed - there wasn't any sense that he'd be a star for the side.

Really, Slot has had to deal with what he's been given by Jurgen Klopp. He's handled that remarkably well, though, developing players like Ryan Gravenberch into world-beaters.

But if Slot wants new blood in his squad, it's got to come from within. The youth setup - something Klopp used brilliantly - is there to provide fresh legs and it appears the Dutchman is ready to use it.

And that's to the cost of one star.

Arne Slot makes big call

Per James Pearce for the Athletic, Arne Slot wishes to keep James McConnell in his first-team squad. There had been a suggestion that McConnell would depart on loan - a suggestion Slot actually added fuel to - but the midfielder stays.

Jayden Danns, in contrast, is expected to join Sunderland on loan. McConnell, though, has a place under Slot.

And what does that mean for Tyler Morton?. Paul Joyce of The Times claims Middlesbrough tried to sign Morton, which could rise 'significantly' over £10m.

Liverpool rejected the offer for not being high enough - but they did negotiate with Middlesbrough for Morton. The midfielder is available, even if it now looks like he'll be stuck at Anfield for the rest of the season.

It's a big call from Slot. He hasn't used Morton all that much but that's primarily because Gravenberch hasn't had injuries.

But Morton was the backup at holding midfield. That's now a role that falls on McConnell's shoulders as he replaces the former in the squad.

Should Gravenberch get injured, there will be a good few games for McConnell. We can only guess that Slot isn't worried about that, though, if he's willing to put this pressure on the youngster for the rest of the season.

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A big call, then - but one that could be the making of McConnell.

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