Huge BOOST for Liverpool as 'INCREDIBLE' winger makes injury RETURN | OneFootball

Liverpool U19's settled for a goalless draw against AC Milan in the UEFA Youth League as an 'incredible' youngster made his return to the side.

Barry Lewtas’ side, captained by Trey Nyoni, secured a point mostly thanks to 17-year-old goalkeeper Kornel Misciur, who made several excellent saves to prevent the hosts from winning after a dominant second-half display from the Italians following an uneventful first-half.

Kieran Morrison went closest for Liverpool 20 minutes into the game as he shifted the ball onto his right foot and struck an effort marginally over from a difficult angle.

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One of the main positives for the young Reds however, was that Trent Kone-Doherty made his first start for Liverpool after returning from an injury that sidelined him for several months.

The return of the young Irishman isn't just a huge boost for Barry Lewtas, with Arne Slot also understood to have been keeping a close eye on the winger.

There are fewer academy players involved in the first-team set-up since Slot's arrival, but the Dutchman is still keen to integrate youngsters into the senior fold.

Arne Slot an admirer of 'incredible' Trent Kone-Doherty

In the build-up to Liverpool's victory at Old Trafford against arch-rivals Manchester United, a number of U21's trained alongside the senior squad with a strong feeling that the youngsters are being watched closely by the senior management and a lot of this is believed to be down to Aaron Briggs, Liverpool's first-team individual development coach.

Kone-Doherty was amongst the players in training as he continued his return to match action.

The 18-year-old is yet to make his professional debut for Liverpool despite having featured in the Reds' first-team training often during Jurgen Klopp's tenure.

Previously, his former Derry City U19s manager Gerard Boyle described him as someone with 'incredible pace' to the Liverpool ECHO.

“Trent always possessed excellent close control and could manipulate the ball very well with both feet,” said the coach. “He had incredible acceleration and deceleration. Trent enjoyed running at defenders with the ball and could glide by them before delivering a good pass or shooting.“His attitude was first class, so well-mannered and so receptive to receiving information and advice. He was liked by all his teammates. He never stopped smiling.”

What's next for Trent Kone-Doherty?

The winger will be hoping he has left all injuries behind him as he resumes his surge towards breaking through into an already star-studded attacking force at Slot's disposal.

With the likes of Lewis Koumas and Ben Doak being loaned out and Harvey Blair completing a permanent move to Portsmouth, this could be the ideal opportunity for Kone-Doherty to prove his worth.

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