The Debate: Pre-season a perfect opportunity for young Reds

Erik ten Hag's side will play eight friendlies, with all roads eventually leading towards our Premier League opener against Wolves on Monday 14 August.

With the first batch of players having returned to Carrington earlier this week, further squad members that were involved in June's internationals are set to follow suit in the coming days.

This week's panel on The Debate were keen to recognise the opportunities that may come for our younger players during the off-season, with former Academy graduate Wes Brown stating how crucial the upcoming period can be.

''It's a good time for the younger lads as well, it's a great opportunity for them, as a lot of them will travel with the squad,'' began the ex-Reds defender.

''It's like the manager saying: 'Go and show me what you can do.' If these players play well, the manager will always have them at the back of his head, especially in the earlier games if something happens or another player needs a little bit more to do pre-season wise.

''Maybe [one of them] will need a bit more running and he'll keep that in the back of his mind. It will help him immensely.''

Our upcoming clash with EFL new boys Wrexham on July 25 has already been touted as a perfect opportunity for Ten Hag's younger players to earn their stripes.

ESPN journalist Rob Dawson echoed the very same sentiment, insisting current members of the squad only have to look at Marcus Rashford's rise to see how effective the system can be.

''That Wrexham game in particular is massive because the club have already said it's going to be a team full of the young lads,'' Dawson began.

''We spent five to 10 minutes their talking about the strikers and obviously they need a number nine. But if they keep a player like Charlie McNeill for example, who has scored goals at all levels in the youth teams.

''He then goes on Tour, plays well against Wrexham, there is a very good chance that he could be on the bench for the first day of the season.

''You do well in training and carry on training with the first-team squad, that's how these players get there and you only have to look at how Marcus Rashford broke into the team.''