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Welsh wing wizard Harry Wilson will captain the Liverpool U23s this season.

The 19-year-old has been given the honour by manager Michael Beale as the team prepare for their season opener on Sunday against Southampton.

It is a huge year for the youngster who endured a nightmare year after missing five months with a toe injury which later affected his metatarsal.

Already capped by Wales at just 16 - the youngest international in their history - his rapid rise has stalled over the last 12 months but he is now fit and raring to go for the year ahead.

Michael Beale said: “Harry Wilson, it’s a huge year for him. Harry’s going to be captain this year, our longest serving player. It was a case of who was going to be the best fit with the staff, who is someone we thought would benefit from having that role.

“We feel he’s a very, very talented player. Just this weekend he scored an absolutely unbelievable goal against Benfica which had their staff speaking about him.

“He had a very interesting loan at Crewe, he certainly grew up after it. So he got a lot from that.

“Then he had an injury which kept him out five months and he would have seen a kot of his friends and the people he was playing with at probably the same level kick on so it’s important that he has a year now which allow him to do that.”

That loan at Crewe may have been a valuable learning experience for Wilson but it was a difficult time with the Gresty Road club heading for relegation and his appearances were few and far between.

He’s now intent on a big year at Liverpool.

He told the ECHO: “It was great news. We had a pre-season friendly against Rhyl and in the meeting beforehand Mick named the team and put me as captain.

“Then he called me over to one side and said ‘you’re my captain for the year now’ so it’s a big responsibility and I’m looking forward to it.”

Wilson didn’t waste any time repaying the faith Beale has shown in him, scoring against Rhyl and enjoying a sparkling pre-season.

He added: “Rhyl was my first start in five months because I had an injury last season which set me back a couple of months which was frustrating so it was good to get back on the pitch.”

Liverpool U23s take on Southampton at Tranmere’s Prenton Park at 1pm on Sunday, August 14. Admission is £4 adults, £1 concessions but entrance is free to Liverpool season ticket holders and members on production of their cards.