Harry Wilson has gone from not getting into the Wales squad to being a starter in Ryan Giggs’ XI.
The 21-year-old played both Wales’ matches in the China Cup from the beginning, scoring against the hosts in a 6-0 battering last week, but sadly losing to Uruguay (featuring Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani) today.
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Harry Wilson sets realistic Liverpool aim for life after Hull City loan
Not bad for somebody who before Christmas was playing for our Under-23s.
The reason, according to former Manchester United player Giggs, is simple: because he’s playing first-team football.
A January loan deal to Hull has rejuvenated Wilson and he’s now recognised as one of the Championship’s most exciting players.
“They are both playing and you can see that,” Giggs told Wales Online, referring to Wilson and young team-mate Declan John.
“They had power in their legs, the fitness, and that makes a big difference.
“When you’re in and out of the reserves or the first team or you’re training with the first team but not playing regular first team football, it has an effect.
“Harry and Declan are seeing the benefits of playing week in, week out because you can’t beat playing competitive first team games.
“You get in a rhythm and that’s part of the reason why I started a lot of the players because they were in that rhythm of playing regularly.
“A lot of our players aren’t playing regularly and it makes a difference.”
Wilson’s success at Hull makes us think he really should have been sent out on loan sooner, with Jurgen Klopp yet to give the winger a competitive first-team appearance.
The youngster went out to Crewe in 2015, but he was too young, really, and spent the next three years tearing up trees for Liverpool’s under-age sides instead.
Now at 21, it’s time Wilson proved once and for all that he deserves a Liverpool future.
In the Championship, he’s scored three goals in six appearances and been a complete revelation for the Tigers, helping to fire them out of a relegation battle and nearer mid-table.
More goals and assists will hopefully enable him to feature in pre-season for Klopp, who’ll have little choice but to present him with an opportunity if he maintains his current level.