Liverpool have the chance to move ten points clear at the top of the Premier League table when they travel to Birmingham to take on Aston Villa this evening.
The Reds are already seven points clear of their closest rivals, Arsenal, and have played the same number of games, but they can take advantage of playing an extra match tonight by claiming all three points.
Mikel Arteta’s side had reduced the gap to four points on Saturday, before Liverpool’s win over Wolves on Sunday, when they beat Leicester City 2-0.
Mikel Merino, a central midfielder, played as a false nine and scored both of their goals in the win, amid an injury crisis in the forward department.
Arsenal are currently missing Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus for the foreseeable future, which should come as a boost to Liverpool in the title race.
However, the emergence of Ethan Nwaneri as a star in the first-team at The Emirates may keep the Gunners in the fight and concern Arne Slot’s side, as he has caught the eye in recent weeks.
Ethan Nwaneri's emergence at Arsenal
The 17-year-old starlet has benefitted from the injuries Arsenal are suffering from at the top end of the pitch, as they have provided him with more minutes on the pitch across all competitions.
Nwaneri started on the right flank in their 2-0 win over Leicester and, as you can see in the highlights, he produced a moment of magic to open the scoring with his brilliant in-swinging cross for Merino to head into the far corner.
The teenage sensation, who can play centrally or out wide, has racked up three goals and one assist in his last seven appearances in all competitions for the Gunners, including two goals in his last four outings in the Premier League.
His positivity in possession is refreshing to see as the England youth international consistently looks to make things happen by taking on his man in the final third, which makes him an exciting player to watch in action.
In fact, Nwaneri ranks within the top 3% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Men’s Big 5 Leagues and European competitions over the last 365 days for successful take-ons per 90 (3.71). This proves that the left-footed forward is able to consistently get the better of defenders to drive the ball up the pitch for his team.
Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
Izzy Brown (West Brom)
16 years, 117 days old
Aaron Lennon (Leeds)
16 years, 129 days old
As you can see in the table above, Arsenal made him the youngest player in the history of the Premier League back when he made his debut in 2022 against Brentford.
You can also see that current Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott, who has only made nine substitute appearances in the league this term, was the youngest player after he made his debut for Fulham, before Nwaneri took that record from him.
Now 21, Elliott is yet to break into the first XI on a regular basis and the Reds may have to look elsewhere to find their answer to Nwaneri, as one of their young loanees has shown the potential to make the step up to the first-team – Ben Doak.
Ben Doak's form this season
Liverpool sent the Scotland international on loan to Championship side Middlesbrough at the start of the season to go and play a full campaign of senior football to develop as a player.
The left-footed sensation, who made his debut for Celtic under Ange Postecoglou at the age of 16, is an electric forward who looks to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch as both a scorer and a creator of goals.
Starts
21
Goals
3
Big chances created
7
Key passes per game
1.9
Assists
7
As you can see in the table above, Doak has showcased his creativity ability, particularly, in the Championship for Michael Carrick’s side this term.
The 19-year-old starlet, who does not turn 20 until November, is enjoying a fantastic first season of regular first-team football and it will be crucial learning for the teenage whiz, who may have his sights set on emerging as a regular for Liverpool in the future.
Why Ben Doak could be Liverpool's own Ethan Nwaneri
Whilst he is a couple of years older than Nwaneri, Doak could emerge as the club’s own version of the Arsenal talent by coming into Slot’s squad as a left-footed, teenage, ace with the ability to provide a spark in the final third next season.
Earlier this season, Ally McCoist heaped praise on the Scotland international after a strong performance against Croatia’s Josko Gvardiol for his country. The pundit compared him to Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham, who has scored 34 goals in 76 games for the Spanish giants by the age of 21, by claiming that both stars play with freedom and that they are both “fearless” on the pitch.
This suggests that, if McCoist’s comments are accurate, Doak has the right mentality to step up at Liverpool next season because he will go in with a fearless attitude and be ready to perform on the biggest stage.
Assists
0.35
Top 6%
Expected Assisted Goals
0.23
Top 15%
Progressive carries
6.78
Top 1%
Successful take-ons
1.77
Top 22%
Touches in opposition penalty area
6.12
Top 2%
As you can see in the table above, the left-footed right winger is also similar to Nwaneri in the sense that he constantly looks to drive forward with the ball, taking on opposition players, to make things happen at the top end of the pitch.
Doak is a progressive dribbler and could be an exciting talent for Liverpool fans to watch as he could get the supporters off their seats with his ability to fly down the flank and commit defenders.
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It is now down to the Middlesbrough loanee to prove to Slot in the summer that he has what it takes to make the jump to the first-team at Anfield next season, so that he can emerge as their answer to Nwaneri on the right wing.