Liverpool youngster earns first international call-up for make-or-break World Cup game
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Liverpool IconLiverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool FCLiverpool academy star Kieran Morrison has been called up for the first time by Northern Ireland's senior team ahead of a crucial World Cup playoff against ItalyKieran Morrison has been called up for Northern Ireland's World Cup play-off against Italy(Image: Getty Images)Liverpool youngster Kieran Morrison has earned his first senior international call-up, and the stakes couldn’t be much higher as he eyes up his Northern Ireland debut.The 19-year-old winger is enjoying a breakthrough season at Anfield, having made his first-team debut for the Reds against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup back in October. Since then, he has been named in Arne Slot’s squad on four occasions in the Premier League and twice in the Champions League, as well as making a cameo against Wolves in the FA Cup recently.Morrison has now been rewarded with a place in Michael O’Neill’s squad for the upcoming international break, when Northern Ireland will be aiming to secure a spot at this summer’s World Cup.READ MORE: Jamie Carragher names Liverpool player who is now 'real problem' for Arne SlotREAD MORE: Jamie Carragher questions Arne Slot's use of two Liverpool players after Tottenham woeNorthern Ireland will face Italy in Bergamo on March 26, with the winners going on to face one of Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31 for a place in the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.Morrison could therefore find himself thrown in at the deep end for his international debut, but O’Neill feels the time is right for his call-up.“We know the player from his time in our U19s and U21s,” O’Neill said.
“He’s also been around the Liverpool squad in recent weeks, and he’s got some minutes with the first team, so he’s clearly doing very well.Kieran Morrison has made a superb start to 2026(Image: Getty Images)“You only pick five squads a year as an international manager, so it’s important for me to bring young players into the squad. We have to accelerate players and get them into the senior squad, to help their development.“He’s an attacking player who has scored goals in the PL2, so I think the time is right to have a look at him.”Morrison has enjoyed a fast rise through the ranks since joining Liverpool as an U14 player, having preciously been on the books at Manchester United.Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.
Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.He would go on to become a first-year scholar with the U18s during the 2023/24 season, before making the step up to the U21s the following season while signing his first professional contract in April 2024.He has enjoyed a fine start to 2026, having been named the Premier League 2 Player of the Month for January after scoring five goals in four appearances, including a hat-trick against Arsenal.Morrison of course follows in the footsteps of fellow Liverpool star Conor Bradley in making the step up to Northern Ireland’s senior team.Bradley will miss this month’s playoffs, with the right-back out for the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery in January, although there is still some hope that he might be able to return in time for the World Cup should Northern Ireland make it there.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FC