Liverpool youngster Isaac Mabaya has signed a new long-term contract with the club, having impressed during pre-season last year. The 18-year-old academy player was deployed at right-back, but is also capable of excelling in midfield, and earned his first call-up to the England under-19s in September. Unfortunately, a long-term ankle injury has kept him out since October, derailing his promising form with Liverpool under-21s and any further senior exposure.
Mabaya’s ability to operate as both a right-back and a midfielder could be interesting, as it could provide an alternative to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s recent shift into a hybrid role. However, the teenager still has a long way to go before he can challenge Alexander-Arnold, with Calvin Ramsay and Conor Bradley also being convincing options at this stage.
Mabaya is nearing his return to full fitness, having joined another long-term absentee, James Balagizi, for sessions at the AXA Training Centre in April. He will be seen as part of a new core of homegrown talent on the fringes of Jurgen Klopp’s squad and will be hoping for another chance in the next pre-season.