Liverpool's Kieran Morrison Shines at U18 Level, Earns Spot at U19 Euros
Liverpool’s Kieran Morrison Shines at U18 Level, Earns Spot at U19 Euros
Liverpool’s promising young talent, Kieran Morrison, made a significant impact at the U18 level last season, catching the eye of Arne Slot and securing a place in the U19 European Championships.
Morrison, a versatile and left-footed attacking midfielder, is just 17 years old. He joined Liverpool as an U14 player and has steadily progressed through the ranks of the club’s academy.
Last season, Morrison primarily played with the U18s but also made appearances for the U21s. This transition is expected to become permanent in the upcoming season.
Morrison had the opportunity to train with Liverpool’s first team last season and participated in early pre-season sessions with Slot and his team this summer. However, his time with the head coach has been temporarily cut short due to his call-up to represent Northern Ireland at the U19 Euros.
The final 20-man squad for the tournament, which runs from July 15 to 28, was announced on Thursday. Morrison leads a six-man midfield group. Despite his late call-up, having just been in pre-season training with the senior side last Sunday, Morrison will now shift his focus to international competition.
The U19 Euros will be held in Northern Ireland. They are in Group A and will face Ukraine on July 15, Italy on July 18, and Norway on July 21. While Morrison has already been capped at the U19 level, this tournament will mark his first experience at an international event.
So, who is this 17-year-old prospect?
Morrison was first spotted by Bolton Wanderers at the age of six and later spent eight years with Manchester United before joining Liverpool. Last season, he mainly played as a right winger but is expected to develop into a central midfielder, with specific areas for improvement identified by his coaches.
In May, U18s coach Marc Bridge-Wilkinson praised Morrison but emphasized the need for further development, calling his season “OK.”
“Kieran has done OK,” he said. “He has definitely scored and created some wonderful goals throughout the season, but he still has a lot to learn, and he knows that. He needs to learn to deliver consistent performances over 90 minutes, and I’m sure he will continue to improve.”
“Overall, he has had a positive season, and we are now focused on helping him improve further.”
Morrison’s journey reflects his potential and dedication, and his upcoming participation in the U19 Euros will be a crucial step in his development.
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