Jurgen Klopp considers Harvey Elliott a first-team squad member this season - and believes the teenager is a beneficiary of the Reds willingness to give youth an opportunity.
Playing in an unaccustomed midfield role, Elliott was impressive throughout the Reds' summer friendly programme culminating in an outstanding display in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield.
A number of clubs are keen to take the 18-year-old - who signed a new five-year deal last month - on loan after he shone during a season-long spell in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers last term.
But Klopp is intent on using Elliott as part of his senior set-up with the youngster in contention for a full Premier League debut in the season opener at Norwich City on Saturday.
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"That's the plan," said the Reds boss when asked if Liverpool would keep the player this campaign. "He showed up in an exceptional way (during pre-season), although he wasn't the only one.
"But of course, Harvey is only 18 so it might be really exceptional. The only problem Harvey has is we don't treat him like an 18-year-old boy, at least not in training sessions and on the pitch as his football is pretty mature in a lot of moments.
"Off the pitch he is much more a kid than on the pitch.
"That's really exciting. We are happy about that. Like all our midfielders he brings something different and a different dimension into the game.
"His dribbling top, passing range really good, a lot of things. It's really interesting."
Elliott was one of several youngsters to impress during pre-season, with Klopp pleased with how the Academy graduates responded during the warm-up friendlies.
"Harvey played a top pre-season, but so did Kaide Gordon and he's only 16," said the Liverpool boss.
"We have to keep the spaces open for these exceptional talents and that's what we try. It's not always possible and that doesn't mean it will happen next week, next month or next year.
"It's just we need to show that we are a club who gives opportunity to these kind of talents. That's what we want to show.
"That's why it was a really good pre-season for Harvey. Let's see how we can use that."
