Liverpool supporters have another reason to keep an eye on the club’s academy, with young forward Will Wright attracting serious attention after an impressive start to the season.
The 18-year-old has been making headlines with his goalscoring performances, and his progress is beginning to raise an important question: could Liverpool already have a future first-team striker developing at Kirkby?
A sensational statement circulating online has been attributed to former Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcântara, with the Spaniard allegedly comparing an academy forward to Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland and challenging Andoni Iraola to give the youngster an opportunity.
However, there is no reliable confirmation that Thiago made those exact comments. Nevertheless, the discussion has brought renewed attention to Liverpool’s academy and the young attackers hoping to make the step up.
And one name deserves particular attention.
WILL WRIGHT IS MAKING SERIOUS NOISE AT LIVERPOOL
Will Wright has been producing the kind of numbers that naturally attract attention.
The 18-year-old joined Liverpool from Salford City in August 2025 and has continued to develop his reputation as one of the academy’s exciting attacking prospects.
His performances this season have been particularly impressive. Reports in October indicated that Wright had scored nine goals in eight youth-team appearances, including a hat-trick against LASK in the UEFA Youth League.
More recently, he reportedly took his tally to 13 goals in 12 appearances across Liverpool’s academy sides.
Those numbers are difficult to ignore, especially for a young forward attempting to convince the senior coaching staff that he deserves an opportunity.
Wright has also demonstrated that he can deliver in European youth competition, registering multiple hat-tricks during the campaign.
For Liverpool, the important thing is not simply how many goals he scores. It is whether he can continue producing those performances against stronger opposition and eventually translate his academy form into senior football.
WHY THE ERLING HAALAND COMPARISON IS ATTRACTING ATTENTION
Comparing an academy teenager to Erling Haaland is a massive statement.
The Manchester City striker has established himself as one of the most devastating goalscorers in modern football, combining physical strength, intelligent movement, explosive acceleration and an exceptional instinct inside the penalty area.
For any young forward, those are extraordinary standards to be measured against.
Wright is still developing, and it would be unfair to suggest that he is already operating at Haaland’s level. However, Liverpool supporters will naturally be excited by the possibility of having another dangerous goalscorer emerging from their youth system.
The club has invested heavily in developing its academy pathway, and the emergence of another promising centre-forward would be significant.
Liverpool do not necessarily need to spend millions searching for every future attacking option if they already have talented youngsters capable of progressing into the first team.
But potential alone is not enough. Wright must continue working, improving his overall game and demonstrating that he can handle the physical and tactical demands of senior football.
ANDONI IRAOLA FACES AN IMPORTANT DECISION
The next question concerns Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.
The Spaniard has already shown an interest in the academy and understands the importance of developing young players within the first-team environment.
However, giving an academy forward a genuine opportunity is different from simply monitoring his progress.
Liverpool are competing at the highest level, where every selection decision carries enormous pressure. Iraola must balance the development of young talents with the responsibility of delivering results.
Wright has reportedly featured in the manager’s pre-season plans and has been named among the substitutes on several occasions, but he is still waiting for his Premier League opportunity.
That is the next major milestone.
A senior debut would give him the chance to demonstrate whether his academy performances can translate into first-team football.
It would also allow supporters to judge his movement, decision-making and ability to compete against experienced defenders.
LIVERPOOL MUST GET THE TIMING RIGHT
There is always a temptation to rush an exciting academy prospect into the first team.
Liverpool supporters have seen young players make impressive breakthroughs, but every footballer’s development follows a different path.
The club must ensure Wright receives the right opportunities without placing unnecessary pressure on his shoulders.
He is not expected to become the next Haaland overnight. He simply needs a pathway that allows him to keep improving and prove his quality when opportunities arrive.
For Iraola, the challenge is recognising when a young player is ready to take that next step.
If Wright continues scoring at his current rate, it will become increasingly difficult to ignore his progress.
And with a demanding season ahead, Liverpool may eventually need to look towards their academy for additional attacking options.
THE BIG QUESTION FOR LIVERPOOL FANS
The excitement surrounding Will Wright is understandable.
An 18-year-old scoring regularly, producing hat-tricks in European youth competition and pushing towards the senior squad is exactly the kind of development Liverpool supporters want to see.
But the comparison with Haaland must remain a compliment rather than an expectation.
Wright has his own career to build, his own identity to establish and plenty of work ahead before he can become a regular Premier League forward.
The opportunity, however, could be closer than many people think.
If he continues delivering in the academy, Iraola will have a decision to make: continue allowing him to develop away from the spotlight, or give him a chance to show Liverpool supporters what he can do on the biggest stage.