Liverpool Confidential: Why Will Wright is the breakout star of Reds academy – LEWIS STEELE reveals club’s plans for 6ft 3in hat-trick hero, his rise from Euxton Villa to Anfield and why coaches believe he’s Andoni Iraola’s next big thing

On Will Wright’s last two trips abroad, he has needed to check in some extra baggage on the return flight.

Two UEFA Youth League away games, two hat-tricks and a pair of match balls to go with them. It’s now 13 goals for the season for 18-year-old Wright after his treble in a 5-3 win at Fenerbahce last week, and he has earned a first England youth call-up to boot.

Another hat-trick in one of those three games for the Young Lions? You wouldn’t bet against it – but Wright is used to these rapid rises.

Eighteen months ago, the 6ft 3in striker signed for Liverpool on a Friday, passed his driving test at 8am the next morning and then played for the first team the day after in a friendly at Anfield.

Now, the former Salford City striker is the name on everyone’s lips around Kirkby – with many thinking he could be the next cab off the rank from Liverpool’s famed academy.

So who is he – and how high can he go?

Wright was first spotted by Salford scouts when playing for local side Euxton Villa, a ninth-tier club who have two England internationals among their alumni in David Unsworth and Sam Johnstone. Wright’s father, Mark, coached at Euxton and is an ex-professional for Preston North End.

It was an unusual path as most future stars are normally signed up by their mid-teens but Wright had injury issues amid a growth spurt that took him to the lanky frame that now bullies defenders. He had heel issues and has worked with a specialist on fascia problems.

Wright made his Salford debut in an 8-0 FA Cup defeat by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in January 2025 but scouts had already been alerted by his 50-goal haul at youth level. Arsenal, led by then-academy chief Per Mertesacker, launched an aggressive approach to sign him.

At one point, Liverpool signalled to Wright and Salford that they were pulling out of the deal, given Arsenal’s interest was so advanced. But the Reds soon returned to prevent the Gunners signing their next ‘Wrighty’.

The deal was worth peanuts in the grand scheme of things, around £300,000. It is good money for League Two Salford, though, and they will be set for additional payments for first-team appearances, honours and future national team caps.

Wright, who has a younger brother and is a Nike athlete, is a throwback No9. It is easy to reach for comparisons to current players but the way he combines pace, power and prolific finishing is not too dissimilar to Erling Haaland.

He is a strong dribbler and scored a fantastic solo goal for Liverpool’s Under 21s against Rochdale in the EFL Trophy in September, receiving possession on the touchline around halfway, tricking his way past two defenders and curling a sumptuous effort into the top corner.

He is the captain of the Under 19s team and I have watched him play live several times, including one game last season where he was clearly targeted by Atletico Madrid defenders. The striker was clattered, suffered a medial ligament injury and was sidelined for several months.

He has returned with a vengeance, with a hat-trick against LASK last month and then last week’s effort against Fenerbahce. What impressed more in the latter was not his goals – one a penalty, the other two both true poachers’ finishes – but his assist.

Wright was on a hat-trick at the time but, instead of shooting, he played a ball to Finn Inglethorpe – son of academy director Alex – to score. Earlier, Wright and Josh Sonni-Lambie had argued over who was to take a penalty. Wright won the row and scored.

Under 21s boss Rob Page told the pair later that he would rather them show hunger to score and passion rather than shy away. Page is a huge fan of Wright and said: ‘There was a real maturity about his performance. One of the parts of the development for all the forwards is being unselfish in their actions.

‘As much as he wants to see the headlines and be successful himself, it is all about sharing that. Will has done that really well today with a hat-trick, a complete performance.’

Pressed on how far away Wright is from the first team, Page replied: ‘He doesn’t have to worry about that. Just bring the best version of yourself every day in training, give absolutely everything in games as he does. The rest will take care of itself.

‘He’s got a great support around him. His family are very supportive. Alex (Inglethorpe) is there to lean on, he’s got myself and Jay (Spearing, academy coach). He never gets carried away.’

Coaches have pinpointed hold-up play and heading as two things to work on, as well as instructing Wright not to ‘rise to the bait’ of bigger defenders who might try to ruffle him up. They have also worked on his off-the-ball runs to the back post.

So, what next? It is understood a January loan is being considered. Liverpool think toughening up Wright in a senior league could be a step worth taking, having used him in each of the last two pre-seasons. His agent was at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday and there will be no shortage of clubs willing to take him on.

Andoni Iraola will be consulted, too. He has called up the likes of Trey Nyoni, Lewis Koumas and Luke Chambers this season and is eager to use young stars.

Iraola is in frequent dialogue with youth staff such as Page, Inglethorpe, plus Luiz Fernando Iubel who is often cited as the ‘link’ between the academy and first team.

The Brazilian has been spotted at several academy games this term, including for Wright’s hat-trick in Turkey where Iubel sat alongside sporting director Julian Ward and loans manager Gary Probert.

Whether a first-team breakthrough comes now or in the future, the future for Wright looks bright.

Van Dijk out, Szoboszlai to follow?

Dominik Szoboszlai’s participation with Hungary this week remains in the balance with the national team doing all they can to get their captain fit for crunch games.

The Hungarians take on Georgia and Northern Ireland in must-win Nations League matches – and may have to go without their star man. Szoboszlai hurt his knee in the win at Crystal Palace and, after an injury-hit six weeks, could do with a rest.

But he will try his best to be fit for national team duty and a decision will not be made until the 11th hour.

It comes after Virgil van Dijk pulled out of Dutch duty with a minor muscle issue. It is believed he has been managing the problem for at least a month and was surprised to be substituted on to the field against LASK — which might explain the team conceding three after he came on!

Loan watch: Harvey’s back!

Confidential readers will recall our musings on Harvey Elliott a fortnight ago, with Valencia sources telling us that the La Liga outfit might consider cancelling his loan in January.

The English midfielder had struggled in Spain for fitness and form. He was then sent off against Villarreal but, as we reported, Valencia would give him another chance to prove his worth.

He has started well, scoring a free-kick in what was his first start for any club in 285 days. It was part of a notable 6-0 win in the Copa del Rey.

Elliott ran over to fans and put his arms aloft appearing to apologise, which adds to his comments a week ago about the red card where he said: ‘I made a mistake and I’m truly sorry. It won’t happen again.’