Liverpool Faces No9 Dilemma as Youth Options Emerge
Liverpool may confront a potential shortage of options in the No9 position this season.
Alexander Isak, a £125m acquisition from Newcastle in the summer of 2025, is anticipated to spearhead the attack and aims to surpass the four goals he netted during his inaugural season.
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Currently, he lacks senior support as Hugo Ekitike, 23, remains sidelined due to injury until late December or January. With the club focusing funds on wingers, it appears that Richard Hughes will not address the situation through the transfer market.
This scenario paves the way for players in Liverpool’s youth and academy teams to showcase their abilities at the professional level.
Liverpool Decides Against Loaning Will Wright
Meanwhile, Jayden Danns, who is recovering from a serious injury, may need to go on loan to secure essential first-team experience.
In addition, goal-scoring talent Keyrol Figueroa has drawn considerable interest from lower league clubs and is eager to make the leap to senior football.
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As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Hughes and head coach Andoni Iraola have no plans to loan out Will Wright this season.
Will Wright Positioned for Senior squad Role
This suggests the 18-year-old is in a prime position to stake a claim for a backup role in the senior team in the coming months.
Wright, who was acquired from Arsenal last summer from Salford, spent time on the bench with the first team under Arne Slot during the last Premier League season.
Participation in the preseason tour to the United States has left Wright eager for more opportunities, as he looks for a chance from the Basque tactician.
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Wright Eager for More Opportunities
“Being involved in matchdays and seeing what it’s like has made me hungry for more, and you get addicted to it,” the striker commented.
“Hopefully, I can get more of them in the future.”
As Liverpool prepares for a busy season ahead in the Premier League and Champions League, alongside FA Cup and EFL Cup obligations, Wright remains focused on gaining experience at the youth level while aspiring for a full debut.
“A full debut would be great, obviously,” he shared. “But I’ll be aiming to score over 10 goals in PL2 and keep advancing as well as I can.”
Liverpool have got a potential shortage of options in the No9 position this season.
Alexander Isak – a £125m signing from Newcastle in summer 2025 – is expected to lead the line and improve on the four goals he scored during his maiden campaign.
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He has no senior backup with Hugo Ekitike, 23, injured until late December or January. And with money set to be spent on wingers it doesn’t appear as though Richard Hughes is going to rectify the situation through the transfer market either.
It means potential opportunities for players in Liverpool’s youth and academy sides to prove themselves at the highest level.
Liverpool decide to keep Will Wright
Jayden Danns – recovering from a serious injury – may head out on loan however as he requires significant first-team minutes.
Likewise goal machine Keyrol Figueroa has got plenty of interest from further down the football pyramid and wants the step-up into the men’s game.
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And according to a report in the Liverpool Echo Hughes and head coach Andoni Iraola have got NO PLANS to send Will Wright out on loan this term.
Will Wright can play backup role to Isak
That would indicate the 18-year-old is in a prime position to stake a claim for a deputy spot in the senior squad over the next few months.
Wright – signed from under the noses of Arsenal last summer from Salford – sat on the bench for the first team under Arne Slot in the Premier League last season.
And a place on the preseason tour to the United States has left the forward wanting more with Wright now begging the Basque tactico for a chance.
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Will Wright is begging Andoni Iraola for a chance
“Being involved in matchdays and seeing what it’s like, it has made me hungry for more and you get addicted to it,” the striker says.
“Hopefully I can get more of them in the future.”
Liverpool will be busy with a full campaign in the Premier League and Champions League to come – as well as balancing fixtures in the FA Cup and EFL Cup.
And while Wright is realistic about having to feature at age-group level for the coming season he is knocking on the door in anticipation of a full debut for the Reds.
“A full debut would be great, obviously,” he says.
“But I’ll be aiming to score over 10 goals in PL2 and keep kicking on and doing as well as I can.”
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