Liverpool reportedly offered Ovia Ejaria to Leeds United in January – but they should jump at the chance if Harry Wilson is made available.
Ovie Ejaria could have been honing his considerable talents in the midst of Leeds United’s promotion push if a poorly timed injury had not scuppered the move.
According to All Nigeria Soccer, Liverpool offered the teenage attacker (above) to the Championship high-flyers in January. Blessed with quick-feet, impressive balance and composure beyond his tender years, Ejaria could have made quite an impact in a Leeds side whose lack of creativity has been the major cause for a number of disappointing defeats in recent weeks.
Yet, Garry Monk’s side should not dwell on the disappointment of being denied the chance to enjoy the talents of one of the Premier League’s brightest young stars. Instead, they should enquire about another of Liverpool’s most exciting youngsters.
After all, it’s not often a player makes his international bow before his league debut. However, with England attempting to tempt him with the prospect of pulling on the three lions, Wales manager Chris Coleman did not think twice about making Harry Wilson the nation’s youngest ever player at the age of 16 in 2013.
Four years on, however, Wilson has only made one senior appearance in the Liverpool first-team, a substitute appearance in January’s FA Cup third round replay against Plymouth Argyle.
Yet, while the likes of Ben Woodburn and Trent Alexander-Arnold are starting to make an impression in the Premier League, Wilson continues to be oddly overlooked. He maintained his prolific form with the club’s Under-23s by netting twice against Southampton on Monday.
Wilson has scored 11 times this season the reserves, almost double the tally of Ben ‘the next Michael Owen’ Woodburn, albeit in three games more.
Clearly, the 20-year-old has outgrown the humble surrounds of the youth game and would benefit from dipping his toes into the rough and tumble of senior football. And Leeds, who could do with a creative talent to take the pressure off runaway top scorer Chris Wood, could be the ideal destination for a short-term loan.
Manager Garry Monk has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to youth this season and, if Wilson thrives a la Ronaldo Vieira, he will return to Liverpool a far more mature player.
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