Arne Slot calls up 'very interesting' youngster to first-team training before Galatasaray vs Liverpool

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After previously being reluctant to give Liverpool youngsters a chance, Arne Slot is now looking at more Academy gems in recent months, with Afolami Onanuga the latest to get a call-up.Liverpool are facing Galatasaray in the first of two last-16 Champions League ties on the evening of March 10.Ahead of the clash, it has been reported by Lewis Bower that Onanuga took part in first-team training this week, and we have taken a closer look at the young gem. DISCUSS: This is not the game for Rio Ngumoha, nor for the returning Florian Wirtz 👇 Predicted XI Liverpool vs Galatasaray Everything Liverpool fans need to know about Afolami OnanugaOnanuga, who also goes by the nickname ‘Fola’, has been a member of Liverpool’s Academy since linking up with their U11 side.He was first spotted by Ricky Heywood when playing grassroots football as a kid in Manchester.After many years in their youth ranks, Fola eventually signed his first professional contract with the Merseyside outfit in 2023.He has been described as a ‘very interesting player‘ but has so far struggled to break into the first team.The central midfielder, who has actually been used as a centre-forward in 2025/26, has played 48 games at U18 level, scoring five and assisting three.Fola has since gone on to notch nine appearances for the U21s, including six this term, where he has netted once.However, the Englishman is yet to secure a single minute of football for the first team, though Slot’s decision to call him up does suggest that may change in the near future.We have already seen Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni and Kieran Morrison feature for Liverpool in 2025/26, and Fola could be the next name to secure a promotion, especially given he is very versatile and can offer cover in a lot of positions.As well as playing in his natural box-to-box role, the former England U15 player, who was capped once, can operate as a number 10, as a defensive midfielder, on both flanks and as a striker.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox