'Exciting' Liverpool academy star could earn rare chance vs Everton after Hugo Ekitike blow - opinion

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Liverpool’s attacking options have been depleted now that top goalscorer Hugo Ekitike is out for the remainder of the season.Alexander Isak is finally back playing, but after only being able to manage 45 minutes against PSG, the Swede still doesn’t appear to be fit enough to lead the line properly in the remaining six games of 2025/26.In turn, given Slot’s lack of depth in the forward line anyway, we could see Kieran Morrison given a more prominent role after previous suggestions that his time would not come until next season. Is a fifth-place finish enough to warrant Arne Slot remaining Liverpool manager?

Credit: Shaun Brooks/CameraSport/Getty Images Kieran Morrison needs chance for Liverpool vs EvertonMorrison was called ‘exciting’ earlier this month, but it was claimed at the time that Slot probably wasn’t in a position to introduce more youngsters into the first-team fold after Rio Ngumoha.Since then, however, Liverpool have been knocked out of every cup competition they were left in and have lost their biggest attacking threat.The aforementioned Ngumoha is also the perfect example of how a rising star could offer more than all of the senior players available right now.Cody Gakpo has had a poor campaign, Mohamed Salah’s levels have dipped and behind them, Federico Chiesa has offered very little.Meanwhile, Morrison has had a stellar season with the Reds’ U21s and now has 15 goals and seven assists in 27 appearances across all competitions in 2025/26 so far.It seems unlikely he would be thrust straight into the line-up against Everton on Sunday afternoon as he has not played a single minute of Premier League football this term.But Morrison has trained with Liverpool’s senior side this season and has even been named on the bench in a number of matchday squads.He’s still raw, but given the form of most first-team attackers right now, Ekitike’s injury should prompt Slot to hand the young winger some minutes this weekend.The alternative would likely be Chiesa or perhaps Gakpo coming off the bench, which hasn’t really worked out in recent months.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox