Liverpool’s 2022/23 season was undeniably a disappointment but the Reds’ upcoming participation in the Europa League brings about fresh opportunities.
Jurgen Klopp will oversee his first game in the competition since his formative Liverpool side were beaten in the 2015/16 final by Sevilla. The Reds have since gone on to emerge as a genuine European force, winning the Champions League in 2019, but a multitude of factors meant they endured a demise last season.
Klopp will be keen to ensure Liverpool are one and done in the Europa League in 2023/24, but he might as well have some fun along the way.
They’ve been drawn into a pretty tame group against LASK, Union Saint-Gilloise, and Toulouse, and this stage of the competition, in particular, should give Klopp the opportunity to hand starts to several academy graduates.
As 17-year-old Doak only joined the club from Celtic in 2022, it might be tough for Klopp to squeeze him into his Liverpool’s Europa League squad given UEFA’s strict rules.
However, the German boss will undoubtedly try to work around him to ensure the exciting young winger is involved throughout the Reds’ group stage games.
Doak was one of the stars of Liverpool’s pre-season and has already featured off the bench in the Premier League this term, replacing Mohamed Salah on Matchday 1 with the score locked at 1-1 against Chelsea with 15 minutes to go.
This is a talent Klopp seemingly already trusts, with his explosive profile ensuring he quickly caught the eye of the Reds boss.
The vast majority were unfamiliar with 20-year-old Quansah when he appeared off the bench before Liverpool’s stunning late comeback at Newcastle.
The towering defender’s sample size at a senior level is small, but the early signs suggest he might be one to keep an eye on. He’s an elegant customer for such a tall customer, with his height aiding his ability to physically overwhelm forwards.
However, Quansah did recently pull out in international duty with England’s Under-20s, so his injury status might be one to watch before Klopp’s 25-man squad is announced. Liverpool will hope he’s avoided a serious problem.
In all honesty, there isn’t too much scope for an array of academy stars to earn chances in the Europa League this season, with fringe senior players more likely to enjoy much of the action in the group stages.
Nevertheless, another youth talent who could get some minutes is 18-year-old Mabaya. His profile is one that should intrigue Klopp and company given that he’s a midfielder who can also function as a right-back.
Perhaps the teenager is the perfect cover option for Trent Alexander-Arnold? With Calvin Ramsey out on loan, the depth behind Trent is slim. Liverpool supporters will undoubtedly want to see more of their own shine at a senior level, and Mabaya could get his chance in the coming weeks and months.
UEFA’s rules are pretty strict and Klopp will have to name his final 25-man squad for the Europa League group stages by 11:00 (BST) on Monday 11 September.
Europa League squads are divided into two lists – Lists A and B – with a minimum of eight spots allocated to locally trained players on List A. A maximum of four of these can classify as association-trained.
Club/locally trained players are defined by UEFA as players who, between the ages of 15 and 21, were registered by their current club for at least three seasons – nationality and current age are irrelevant. An association-trained player is somebody who, between the ages of 15 and 21, was registered with a club or other clubs affiliated with the relevant national championship for a period of at least three seasons.
An unlimited number of players can be assigned to List B, but Doak doesn’t qualify for this list as, despite meeting the age requirements, he hasn’t yet been at Liverpool for two uninterrupted years. However, it seems as if Klopp will leave out senior goalkeeper Adrian to make room for the young Scot on List A.
