It’s difficult to say for certain what the future holds for 22-year-old Pedro Chirivella. With his contract expiring in the summer, the likelihood is that he will move on in search of playing time he’s more than good enough to get with a mid-table club in one of Europe’s top leagues.
Still, Liverpool are reported to be interested in giving him a new deal, and he’s impressed when given the chance to lead out the youngsters on multiple occasions in the cups so far this season. That, he says, is down to being determined, fighting through setbacks, and training with Liverpool’s current first team squad.
“Mentally, I feel ready,” Chirivella said following another strong cup outing as the senior member of the youthful Liverpool side that took on Shrewsbury on Tuesday evening. “I train every day with the first team and I feel I am getting closer to the level.
“I came (to Liverpool) very early, when I was only 17, and maybe I was not ready yet. Now I feel I am getting there. I am getting very good feedback. My mentality has changed and hopefully I can carry on.”
Whether, long term, that carrying on is with Liverpool or with a new club only time will tell, but in the short term Chirivella is likely to get the chance to face Chelsea in the next round along with Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, and Neco Williams, the U23 quartet who have most consistently impressed.
With that match, set for March 5th, not conflicting with any previously scheduled winter breaks for the first team players there will likely be a reintroduction for many and a mixed squad sent out by Jürgen Klopp—but it’s clear Chirivella and a few others have earned a place.
“We showed that we are capable of beating Everton and Arsenal,” the Spanish midfielder added. “In the eleven I think five or six players are training with the first team every single day, so we showed that we are ready to play.
“I’m very proud of the boys and how we behaved on the pitch. It was a proper Liverpool team. Everyone at the club, whether it’s the first team, the Academy or whoever, we all play like a Liverpool team. I think we showed that. I’m very happy. And Chelsea? I can’t wait, but first a few days off.”