Liverpool take on the Championship side in the League Cup later this month.
Liverpool’s lack of European football this season means manager Jurgen Klopp may struggle to give all his players sufficient game-time in the months ahead.
However, the upcoming EFL Cup game against Derby County could allow for some of the Reds’ next generation to get the competitive debuts they deserve.
Perhaps the most notable is 17-year-old right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold; a player with a big reputation at Anfield and one who seized his opportunities to impress during pre-season.
He may be young and lacking experience at the top level, but Klopp clearly has faith in him, selecting him on the bench against Arsenal on the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign.
With Jon Flanagan now at Burnley, Alexander-Arnold could be given a run-out in place of first-choice right-back Nathaniel Clyne when Liverpool take on Derby on 19 September.
It is not a match, or a competition, Klopp will be taking lightly. Indeed after last year’s disappointments he will want to get some silverware in the cabinet as soon as possible.
But the 17-year-old is ready for the step up and it would be no surprise to see him run out for Liverpool shortly after their stars return from the latest international break.
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