Liverpool wonderkid is coming to Arne Slot’s first team

Liverpool have been dealt an injury blow but this could be great news for one young wonderkid coming through the ranks.

The long dreaded international break is already the reaper of bad news for the Reds.

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Liverpool confirmed that Ryan Gravenberch has been recalled from Netherlands duty after he picked up a knock in the Carabao Cup final.

Gravenberch was seen training with the Netherlands but has been deemed not fit enough to play their Nations League play off games and the Reds now face an anxious wait to see whether he will be able to play against Everton later this month.

But whether or not he is fit, this injury scare is a warning to Arne Slot.

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Gravenberch has been overused this season, and he needs a break. It's time others are given an opportunity and this could present a young wonderkid from the club's academy with a golden chance.

Why James McConnell can now break into the first team

Arne Slot has spoken very highly of James McConnell recently, especially after his brilliant performance against PSV Eindhoven.

He is probably one of the best young players in the club's academy and it's time for him to make his mark in the Liverpool first team.

Gravenberch's injury blow could be the opportunity McConnell needs to make his mark. It's definitely sent a reminder to Slot that he cannot run the Dutchman to the ground. Sometimes he needs a bit of a break, even if it's just for the last 20 minutes of games.

That could present McConnell with a golden chance. He's definitely ready for that kind of challenge and to come in and play more first team minutes.

He showed that last season, especially in the Carabao Cup final when he played Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo off the park during the extra time period.

A tenacious ball-winner, McConnell has the energy and the reading of the game to be a really successful understudy to Gravenberch.

His passing range is brilliant and he has the tactical understanding to fill in and cover other areas of the pitch. When needed Slot was able to shift him to right-back and McConnell still delivered an impressive performance against Plymouth.

Liverpool will now determine just how severe Gravenberch's injury is. That will then determine the scale of opportunity ahead of McConnell.

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If it's a long-term blow, the opportunity will be grander but even if it's just a precaution it should have planted a seed in Slot's head about rotation and about finally giving the minutes McConnell deserves in the first team.

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