It is a No brainer”- Ange set to hand 18y/o gem Tottenham debut v Liverpool after what happened today
Ange Postecoglou could be presented with the ideal opportunity to hand promising youngster Ellis Lehane his first-team debut when Tottenham Hotspur travel to face Liverpool this Sunday.
Spurs are set to visit Anfield on 27 April, where Liverpool, currently leading the Premier League table, can secure the title with just a single point against Postecoglou’s side. For Tottenham, however, the stakes are significantly lower. Sitting 16th in the Premier League standings after a difficult domestic campaign, Spurs’ focus is likely to be elsewhere — specifically on their upcoming UEFA Europa League semi-final clash against Norwegian outfit Bodø/Glimt, scheduled for Thursday, 1 May, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Given the context, Postecoglou is expected to rotate his squad heavily for the trip to Merseyside. With little riding on the result from Tottenham’s perspective, the Australian manager may see this as the perfect moment to offer some of the club’s brightest academy talents valuable Premier League experience — and no one has put their hand up more emphatically than Ellis Lehane.
Lehane Continues to Impress After Stunning Hat-trick Performance
While Tottenham’s senior team has endured a frustrating season, there has been plenty to cheer about at youth level. Stuart Lewis’ Under-18s have been a shining light, producing some standout performances and nurturing several exciting prospects, including the highly-rated Luca Williams-Barnett.
On Saturday, 26 April, Spurs’ Under-18s delivered arguably their most dominant display of the season, demolishing Leicester City’s Under-18s with an emphatic 7-0 victory in the Under-18 Premier League South. Williams-Barnett, as expected, found the net again, but it was Ellis Lehane who truly stole the show.
The 18-year-old striker showcased his predatory instincts with a sensational hat-trick, reinforcing his growing reputation as one of the academy’s most lethal forwards. Lehane’s performance was a statement, bringing his tally to an impressive 11 goals in just 17 league appearances this campaign — a remarkable return that highlights his extraordinary potential and goal-scoring prowess.
Lehane’s Potential Inclusion in the Matchday Squad vs Liverpool
Considering the circumstances, Postecoglou has every reason to rest his key senior players ahead of the crucial Europa League semi-final. Fielding a handful of academy stars at Anfield not only helps manage the squad’s fitness but also gives emerging talents like Lehane an invaluable taste of top-flight football.
Conveniently, Lehane and many of his Under-18 teammates are already in the East Midlands after Saturday’s game against Leicester, meaning the logistics of involving them in Sunday’s matchday squad are straightforward. They could easily make the short trip up to Merseyside on Saturday evening and be available for selection against Liverpool.
Should Postecoglou choose to name Lehane among the substitutes — or even hand him minutes off the bench — it would mark a significant milestone in the young striker’s burgeoning career. More importantly, offering Lehane his senior debut could play a vital role in persuading him to commit his long-term future to Tottenham by signing a new contract, with several top clubs across Europe reportedly monitoring his progress.
A debut at Anfield, one of the most iconic stages in world football, would not only reward Lehane’s outstanding form at youth level but also send a clear message that opportunities are there for those who perform. For Tottenham, a club looking to rebuild with fresh energy and youthful enthusiasm, Lehane’s potential breakthrough could be a glimpse of a very exciting future.
