Liverpool are currently preparing for their Premier League meeting with West Ham on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds will be eager to keep the pressure on league leaders Chelsea, who only picked up a point on Saturday.
Liverpool may have drawn their last league game, but they go into the Hammers game on the back of a 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
This week, the Reds had a new face in first-team training as Klopp called up academy gem James Balagizi.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder joined the Liverpool setup as an Under-11 player from Manchester City.
He penned his first professional contract at Anfield in September 2020 and has been playing for both the Under-18s and the Under-23s this term.
Balagizi has drawn comparisons to Yaya Toure in the past.
Speaking to the Blood Red podcast, the Secret Scout said: “There are similarities in his play like Yaya Toure – even down to how his sleeves are covered over his hands while playing – and he has a languid, effortless running style.
“He is the kind of midfielder that we don’t often see coming through in England.”
Some Liverpool fans have been praising Balagizi for a while now and will surely be excited to see the 6ft 2in talent in first-team training.
James Balagizi will hit levels. He’s huge, strong with nimble feet. Can link the lines (passing or dribbling), and attack the box off-ball. Willing to press and get into duels. Has great body manipulation, thus a great receiver between the lines. Reminds me a lot of Yaya Toure. pic.twitter.com/LOzQopWZZu
— HT (@half_turn) July 31, 2021
Balagizi reminds me of Yaya Toure #lfc
— Darren Mountain (@DJDAZZA84) April 30, 2021
James Balagizi is gonna be WORLD CLASS one day!!!!!
— MS11 👑 (@LFCLaw) November 5, 2021
Balagizi is, without doubt, one of the best players in Liverpool’s academy: a sharp, creative, press-resistant midfielder who looks and plays like he’s much older than 18.
He’s in the England U19s squad for this month’s internationals.
— Jack Lusby (@LusbyJack) November 5, 2021
