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Bobby Duncan and Paul Glatzel will be given an opportunity to impress Jurgen Klopp during Liverpool's pre-season programme - and it could begin tonight at Tranmere.

The forward partnership, both 18 years old, scored more than 60 goals between them at under-18 level last season and helped the Reds win the FA Youth Cup by beating Manchester City on penalties.

With Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah having only just started their summer breaks after international duty, Sadio Mane still in Africa Cup of Nations action and Xherdan Shaqiri injured,Liverpool will be without most of their senior forwards for the opening weeks of their warm-up programme.

The Reds' preparations start at League One neighbours Tranmere Rovers tonight before a trip to Bradford City on Sunday.

The squad then jet out to the United States for the US tour and games against Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla and Sporting Lisbon.

Tranmere Rovers vs Liverpool LIVE updates from pre-season match

And Klopp has confirmed the door will be open for Duncan, Glatzel and a number of other youngsters to feature over the coming weeks.

"A lot of them will be part of the US tour, we have to use that because of the number of games we play," said the Liverpool boss. "We need all of them and that’s nice.

"Only as an example, Bobby Duncan and Paul Glatzel: our offensive line that played last year is coming pretty late in joining us in the pre-season, so we have to be creative system-wise and all that stuff, but there will be moments when they have to play.

“Not only at Tranmere or whatever, but in America as well when we play Borussia Dortmund and all the other guys. So, it’s good and it’s always like this: when you are already in the club, then the door is always open for you to the first team.

(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“The thing is you have to go through by yourself - we only open the door, we don’t push you through. So, I’m open, I’m very open for exciting football players and if the boys show up, good for them and good for us.”

Adam Lewis, Harry Wilson, Ryan Kent, Anderson Arroyo and Ben Woodburn are among a group of youngsters likely to feature at Prenton Park given the long list of first-team regulars yet to return to Melwood.

And while admitting it is an "exciting" time for the hopefuls, Klopp believes it won't be easy for them to eventually make the grade at Anfield.

“I would say it’s quite difficult to immediately be part of that first-team squad because we are really strong, but it’s always like it is," the Reds boss said to liverpoolfc.com.

"These boys are our future if they want to be our future. That’s how it is because for that they need to take all the steps.

“They are at a wonderful club with wonderful coaches.

"Whoever leads the training, whether it’s me or Pep (Lijnders) or Critch (Neil Critchley) or whoever, it will always be a good session. But this pre-season is for them exciting of course."