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It has been an “glorious” begin to life on mortgage for James Balagizi, with the Liverpool teenager trialled in a shocking new position at Crawley City.
Balagizi stands out as the most effective younger gamers in Liverpool’s academy, however final season noticed the 18-year-old’s step as much as the under-23s blighted by damage.
He nonetheless made 29 appearances throughout the age teams, together with usually for the under-19s in Europe, whereas he was named on the bench for first-team cup clashes with Norwich and Shrewsbury.
Whereas he might have joined the senior squad for pre-season – as he was anticipated to final 12 months earlier than an premature arm damage – the choice was made for Balagizi to go out on mortgage as an alternative.
Becoming a member of League Two facet Crawley City on a season-long deal on the finish of June, the attacking midfielder linked again up with former England youth supervisor Kevin Betsy.
James Balagizi sounded out as ‘glorious’ in supervisor Kevin Betsy’s post-match interview in yesterdays pleasant vs Hearts.
He has began 3 of 4 Crawley friendlies, taking part in as a six, a place he hardly ever performed for Liverpool however Betsy has briefly utilised Balagizi in for England. pic.twitter.com/QBYVmyZEFj
— Lewis Bower (@LewisBower2021) July 17, 2022
And although these are early days, it seems as if Betsy has a brand new position in thoughts for Balagizi, who has shifted from his pure duties nearer to the ahead line to characteristic as a No. 6 all through pre-season to this point.
His first begin got here in opposition to Championship facet QPR, taking part in the primary 45 minutes in a 3-3 draw, and after a deliberate relaxation for a 9-0 win over East Grinstead was again for the 5-0 win at Three Bridges.
Most not too long ago, Balagizi began and taking part in 75 minutes in a 2-2 comeback draw with Scottish Premiership facet Hearts, after which Betsy hailed him as “glorious.”
{The teenager} was concerned in a 21-pass transfer for Crawley’s first of the afternoon in Edinburgh, taking a look at dwelling in his new deep-lying position as he supplied a continuing outlet and recycled possession.
Loved this at this time. @JamTarts regarded a reduce above early on, however @crawleytown higher within the 2nd half. Nice lengthy vary objective by Kingsley. Stand outs for Crawley had been James Balagizi, an 18 12 months previous on mortgage from @LFC in entrance of the again 4, and Dom Telford up prime scoring a brace. https://t.co/IpyigMCQwl
— Brian Parkin (@BrianNUFC) July 16, 2022
It’s definitely attention-grabbing to see Balagizi used as a No. 6, having sometimes been deployed as a No. 8, No. 10 and even on the wing at Liverpool.
He is without doubt one of the tallest and strongest gamers within the Reds’ youth ranks, and whereas Betsy shall be given the liberty to make use of his loanee how he needs, there may very well be a longer-term future for Balagizi on the base of the midfield.
That might present him the clearest pathway into the senior setup at his guardian membership, after all, with there little in the way in which of specialist cowl for Fabinho.
Jurgen Klopp has named Jordan Henderson and James Milner because the de facto backups for the Brazilian, however it’s clear that neither are seen as full-time occupants – and the latter, because it stands, will depart the membership subsequent summer season when Balagizi returns from Crawley.
Tyler Morton has already been shifted again into his pure No. 8 position, whereas the profile of midfielder Liverpool have been linked with – particularly Jude Bellingham – suggests future targets shall be for the extra superior positions.
League Two is a distance from the Premier League and Champions League, after all, however these throughout the membership shall be monitoring Balagizi’s progress at Crawley with eager curiosity.
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