Stephenson ‘plan emerges at Liverpool’ amid new pre-season developments
Liverpool may have a gem on their hands in Luca Stephenson.
The young midfielder enjoyed a promising loan spell away from Anfield at Dundee United last season, featuring 34 times for the Tangerines in all competitions.
He is a versatile player, capable of playing on the right flank or at centre-back as well as in his natural holding midfield position.
That could prove to be a valuable asset for Arne Slot in the future.
Stephenson set for new Liverpool deal
Stephenson is one of the most promising talents in Liverpool’s academy and looks set to be rewarded for his development so far.
A report from The Athletic (22 July) claims that he is set to sign a new contract with the Reds before moving on loan again.
It states that the Merseysiders will monitor the 21-year-old, who has been taken on the pre-season tour of Asia, for another season.
Liverpool needs to allow Stephenson to develop
The most important thing for Stephenson is to allow him to develop into a first-team player.
The best way to do that is with regular game time at senior level, so a loan away from Merseyside makes sense for the former Sunderland youth gem.
| Stats (All competitions) | Stephenson |
| Matches | 34 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Minutes played | 2,675 |
He is unlikely to feature regularly for Slot’s side when the season begins, given the competition in his preferred position, but if he enjoys a profitable loan spell, he could force his way into the fold in the future.
The fact that the Premier League champions are so keen to tie him down suggests that they rate him very highly, and this should bode well for his future prospects of making it on Merseyside.
Given the uncertainty around other youth products, such as Ben Doak and Stefan Bajcetic, it is refreshing to see that the club have made up their mind about another potential future star.
Stephenson now has to make the most of the chance he has been given, and impress on the tour and then away from L4, in the hope that he will be noticed by Slot when he returns and get an opportunity to play a part in the senior set-up.
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