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The likes of Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Trent Alexander-Arnold have all come through Liverpool's academy during the Premier League era. Now a new generation of wonderkids are waiting for their chance to follow in those footsteps.
There are some exceptionally bright talents currently playing in Liverpool's youth setup, many of whom have already had a taste of senior football. The 2026–27 season could be their breakthrough campaign, with a new manager ready to hand them opportunities.
Andoni Iraola's appointment signals a fresh chapter for Liverpool's young prospects, who will be keen to make a strong impression on the Spaniard during a crucial preseason. Those who stand out could earn a place in his plans.
Here are six Liverpool youngsters who could flourish next season.
Rio Ngumoha
Some might say 2025–26 was already Rio Ngumoha's breakout year. During Liverpool's difficult spell, the 17-year-old winger provided a much-needed spark with his blistering pace, outstanding dribbling and fearless approach in possession. Twenty-nine appearances produced three goal involvements and a string of promising performances.
Liverpool have already brought in one senior winger this summer in Víctor Muñoz, with another likely to arrive as a replacement for the departed Mohamed Salah. But Ngumoha can still make the transition from impactful substitute to regular starter next season if he maintains his current form.
Ngumoha's electric footwork has already unsettled Premier League right backs. The athleticism and technical quality are evident, but the Englishman — who has already earned a senior international cap — must sharpen his end product to truly cement himself as a reliable option under Iraola.
Liverpool will be careful not to overburden such an inexperienced player, but Ngumoha is no ordinary youngster. He should see plenty of action in 2026–27.
Giovanni Leoni
Giovanni Leoni's first season at Liverpool amounted to just a single appearance. Signed for $40.7 million from Parma, where the 19-year-old had featured only 17 times, the centre-back suffered a devastating ACL injury on his debut in the Carabao Cup. He is still working his way back to full fitness nearly a year on.
The Reds will undoubtedly manage Leoni's return carefully after such a prolonged absence, but the club's current shortage of depth and quality at centre-back will open doors for the Italian once he is fully fit. The 35-year-old Virgil van Dijk, injury-prone Joe Gomez and 21-year-old Jérémy Jacquet are Iraola's only remaining options in that position following Ibrahima Konaté's departure.
Expectations remain high for Leoni, who is still regarded as one of the world's most exciting young defenders. Patience must be shown as the towering teenager recovers, with his reintegration likely to be gradual, but there is no reason he cannot play a significant role for Liverpool as the season unfolds.
Trey Nyoni
Trey Nyoni has built up considerable experience around Liverpool's first team. After making his debut in 2023–24 to become the club's fourth-youngest appearance-maker in history, the midfielder has gone on to play a further 19 times across the last two seasons.
Arne Slot called upon the 19-year-old on 14 separate occasions last term, giving him invaluable experience to carry into future campaigns. Iraola now has the opportunity to accelerate his development with his well-regarded man-management skills.
Nyoni has been on the verge of a breakthrough for some time, yet has never been fully trusted in the midfield engine room. His slight build and lack of physicality makes it a gamble to deploy him in the intense environments of the Premier League and Champions League.
Nevertheless, his talent as a deep-lying playmaker with sharp vision and a broad passing range is undeniable. Perhaps he can show more consistent glimpses of his ability next term.
Stefan Bajcetic
Injuries have been a persistent obstacle for Stefan Bajčetić. Initially introduced as an emergency option under Jürgen Klopp during the 2022–23 season — in which he made 19 senior appearances — the midfielder appeared destined for stardom after a hugely impressive run. "Top talent, super player," was Klopp's verdict on him during that debut campaign.
Fitness setbacks soon followed, possibly the result of his body being pushed too hard at such a young age. A calf injury kept him out for almost the entire 2023–24 season, after which loan stints at RB Salzburg and Las Palmas ended with the Spaniard suffering another serious injury requiring hamstring surgery.
As a result, the 21-year-old missed the whole of the 2025–26 season and has yet to return to full first-team training. Whether he will be available for preseason this summer remains uncertain.
If Bajčetić can be carefully nursed back to fitness, there is little doubt about the quality he can contribute in the years ahead. While his development has been stalled on the treatment table, the technical brilliance that made him such a thrilling prospect will be ready and waiting upon his return.
Jayden Danns
Jayden Danns wasted no time making his mark. On just his third senior Liverpool appearance, the Scouse striker came off the bench in a Carabao Cup tie against Southampton to score a composed brace in front of the Anfield crowd. Unfortunately for the 20-year-old, his momentum has since been disrupted by injury.
The forward tore his hamstring in September 2025, ruling him out for the majority of the following campaign. On his return in March, he suffered a recurrence of the injury in a defeat to Manchester City's Under-21s and has been absent ever since.
He did not join Iraola's squad for their preseason tour of America, which may be a sensible precaution as Liverpool take every care with his recovery, but there is genuine optimism that Danns will soon put his injury troubles behind him.
The local lad's pace, physicality and clinical finishing make him an undeniably exciting talent. With Hugo Ekitiké currently sidelined through injury and potentially unavailable until 2027, Liverpool would greatly benefit from a breakout season from Danns.
Kieran Morrison
Kieran Morrison is already a senior international. The versatile 19-year-old winger was rewarded for his impressive performances in Liverpool's academy with his first Northern Ireland cap in June 2026, by which point he had already appeared for the Reds' first team on two occasions.
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The Manchester-born forward has been outstanding for Liverpool's Under-21s, contributing 18 goals and eight assists across 50 appearances. The Reds will certainly hope that eye-catching form can translate to the senior level over the coming months and years.
Morrison may not be quite ready for a full breakout campaign, but the youngster is becoming increasingly hard to overlook. Having already featured regularly on the Liverpool bench and in first-team training sessions, it is not out of the question that he develops rapidly under Iraola, who has a strong track record of nurturing young talent.