The Liverpool academy stars who could feature against Union S-G – 23-man squad named for trip

Liverpool have included several young academy stars in their travelling squad ahead of their UEFA Europa League clash with Union Saint-Gilloise. 

Liverpool go into their final Europa League group game on Thursday knowing it doesn't really have any effect on them. The Reds are not just qualified from their group but are guaranteed to top it.

It means Jurgen Klopp can afford to rest everybody, in truth. This is the busy Christmas period, after all, and players must get rest when necessary. That's made even more true with Manchester United heading to Anfield on Sunday. That's a game where everyone at Liverpool wants perfect preparation.

It's no great surprise, then, that Liverpool included several young academy players in their 23-man squad ahead of the fixture with Union S-G. All will be in line to play a part and a good few may start the game.

Conor Bradley, Ben Doak and Luke Chambers are the least surprising. All likely would have trained anyway and there's a very good chance all three start in the Europa League.

Calum Scanlon and James McConnell both trained, too. The pair actually made their senior debuts in this competition back when the Reds won against Toulouse. That certainly hints at involvement on Thursday, if not starts.

Kaide Gordon is another interesting name to consider. He missed well over a year through injury, having last featured for the first team back in January 2022. Not only was Gordon featuring but he was growing his reputation quickly - if not for injury, he could well have been something of a regular face around the first-team.

Gordon did make the bench on a couple of occasions recently. He'll likely do so again here.

Tom Hill, another youngster whose development was hampered by injury, also trained with Liverpool. He's played regularly for the Under 21s this season and looks set to be rewarded with first-team involvement.

And then there's Lewis Koumas. The 18-year-old featured in pre-season for the Reds and that could put him in line for a debut at senior level on Thursday.

Young goalkeepers Marcelo Pitaluga and Fabian Mrozek will also travel, but are unlikely to see any game time.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson were all left back in England, despite taking part in Wednesday's training.

The quartet will be rested for the weekend's all-important clash against United.

Liverpool's 23-man squad to face Union Saint-Gilloise

Goalkeepers: Kelleher, Pitaluga, Mrozek Defenders: Quansah, Konate, Gomez, Tsimikas, Bradley, Chambers, Scanlon Midfielders: Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Jones, Endo, Elliott, McConnell, Hill Forwards: Gakpo, Diaz, Nunez, Doak, Gordon, Koumas