Liverpool has entered the first pre-season under the management of Arne Slot, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Andy Robertson recently returning to training. They will later be joined by key players like Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, and Diogo Jota.
Nearly three years after his initial and only appearance for Liverpool’s first team, 20-year-old winger Harvey Blair is being given an extended opportunity in pre-season training.
For now, Slot is evaluating several young players while maintaining a high-energy approach to his early sessions. Among these young hopefuls is academy winger Blair, who continues to train with the first team, unlike some of his peers who have returned to the youth squads for pre-season.
Notably, Tom Hill, James Norris, and even Jayden Danns have not been consistent participants in every session after initially being called up. In contrast, Blair has remained with the main squad, indicating that Slot and his coaching staff see potential in him, especially given the absence of most senior forwards.
Blair was seen training at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday morning, along with Szoboszlai, Robertson, and Vitezslav Jaros. With Gakpo, Nunez, and Diaz expected to miss the tour of the United States and Jota returning late after Euro 2024, Blair is likely to be among the players travelling.
Blair made his surprise debut for Liverpool’s first team in the Carabao Cup fourth-round match against Preston in October 2021 when he was just 18. He started on the right wing alongside Takumi Minamino on the left and Divock Origi upfront but was replaced by Conor Bradley in the second half. Since then, injuries have hindered his progress, limiting his opportunities at the academy level.
Last summer, Blair balanced his training between the first team and the U21s, drawing loan interest from clubs in England and Scotland. However, a meniscus tear requiring surgery thwarted any potential move. In January, despite interest from Denmark and Belgium, ongoing fitness issues kept him in Merseyside.
Blair is expected to attract suitors again this summer, but his powerful and pacy attacking style might earn him an unexpected place in Slot’s squad.
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