Following Liverpool’s 6-0 dismantling of Qarabag in the final UEFA Champions League group-phase game, 15-year-old Josh Abe has trained with the first team.
It’s standard for players to get a recovery day after a game, giving the young players a chance to show Arne Slot what they can do.
Abe only turned 15 in July last year, making an incredible impact on the Liverpool U18’s team.
His step-up in performances at the under-18 level has turned the heads of Slot and some rival clubs.
Youth career progress
Abe is enjoying a swift rise through the Liverpool ranks, becoming one of the standout performers in the U18’s team.
He’s played in seven games so far this campaign, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
Most recently, Abe added to his goal tally in Liverpool’s 7-1 thrashing of Burnley last weekend.
The young sensation is a right winger who possesses a tricky left foot. He’s a player who enjoys cutting inside and letting fly at goal.
He’s a direct, pacy winger with strong one-on-one attacking abilities.
National team
Abe holds dual citizenship in England and Nigeria, choosing to play for England at the youth level.
For the England U16’s, Abe has continued to show his goal-scoring threat, netting three times in five matches.
In October 2025, he netted a goal in England’s excellent 5-1 win against Wales U16.
Could he be lured away?
Several clubs want the winger, who hasn’t signed a scholarship with the Merseyside club.
Abe can’t even sign a professional contract until 2027 due to his age.
The current situation leaves Liverpool vulnerable, with Chelsea and Arsenal both expressing interest in his signature.
In December, Abe received VIP treatment to watch Real Madrid defeat Sevilla 2-0 at the Bernabéu.
The service was set up by Tyler Alexander-Arnold, Trent’s brother, who runs his own agency called PLG.
Could this be an attempt for Tyler to lure Abe towards his agency, or a way for Real Madrid to attract his interest?
A pathway
Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of few Liverpool academy graduates who has gone on to become a global superstar in recent years.
History has shown that Liverpool is a club that feeds on young talent, giving Abe real belief that he can reach the first team.
Most recently, Liverpool revealed their stance on fellow youngster Trey Nyoni, who’s made significant inroads in the first team this season.
Several Liverpool players will be playing at the FIFA World Cup in the summer, giving Abe the chance to gain vital exposure in Liverpool’s preseason.
Liverpool are yet to win a Premier League game in 2026, so could his chance come much sooner rather than later?
