Liverpool have ALREADY signed Harvey Elliott replacements

Liverpool’s under-21s are back in action on Sunday against Middlesbrough in Premier League 2 having beaten Stoke last Friday.

With plenty of time in between fixtures, there was a chance for several prospects to join Arne Slot’s first team for training ahead of the Newcastle game in the Premier League.

Liverpool Transfer Latest: Reds ready for £480m spend as they chase GENERATIONAL talent

While Rio Ngumoha, James McConnell and Trey Nyoni have trained plenty with the first team this season, there were also call-ups for two more promising attackers.

Spotted among Slot’s 28-man panel were wingers Kieran Yusuf Morrison and Trent Kone-Doherty.

Morrison, 18, has scored three goals and added four assists in Premier League 2 this season. The Manchester-born forward has also netted three goals in six UEFA Youth League games.

READ MORE: Luis Diaz shows Anthony Gordon how it's done in HUGE Liverpool win

A left-footed winger or attacking midfielder, Morrison named Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott as his first-team rivals while playing for the Northern Ireland under-19 side.

“Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott and other top players,” he told the Belfast Telegraph when asked who he was up against in the Liverpool ranks.

“I’m trying to be better than them and go past them as quickly as I can. I’ll work hard to be a success.”

Morrison and Kone-Doherty gunning for first team

Morrison joined Liverpool having played for Manchester United up to U14 level. He signed his first professional contract in February 2024.

This has been a breakthrough campaign for the forward, who sat on the bench for the first team during a recent Champions League match against PSV.

Also present for that fixture was Trent Kone-Doherty.

READ MORE: How to get Carabao Cup final tickets

The Irishman is right-footed and enjoys playing on the opposite side of the attack. The 18-year-old is adept at using his pace to cut inside and strike at goal.

His progress has been rapid having joined from hometown club Derry City back in 2022. Kone-Doherty has scored twice in 12 Premier League 2 matches this season and was in sensational form in the UEFA Youth League.

He scored three goals and added another assist. His performances at youth and underage level have been sufficient to alert Slot to his talents and the winger has ALREADY taken his first-team bow.

He was part of the unsuccessful lineup for the FA Cup fourth-round game against Plymouth and featured on the bench for the PSV Champions League game.

Trent has always been seen as a prodigious talent, sitting on the bench for the Derry first team in the League of Ireland aged 15, and signed pro terms with the Reds in October 2023.

“Trent has that ‘x’ factor, he’s got something special,” said Gerald Boyle to the Derry Journal - Kone-Doherty’s former Derry U17 manager.

“His one-on-one ability is excellent. He has got serious, serious pace but the biggest thing about him is that he has a brilliant attitude.”

Warning to Elliott?

READ MORE: How many points do Liverpool NEED to win the Premier League title?

Their presence at the session should serve a timely reminder to current first-team fringe players that nothing is guaranteed. The likes of Federico Chiesa - and particularly Elliott - should be looking over their shoulders at the talent coming up behind them.

As stated above, Morrison already has Elliott in his sights. And for sporting director Richard Hughes, he will be well aware that should the likes of Chiesa and Elliott be sacrificed to generate funds in the transfer market, these two electrifying youngsters have already gained the trust of Slot.

READ MORE: £33m Frimpong deal closer as full-back '100%' ready to move