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It is more than three years now since Harry Wilson made Welsh football history – and made his grandfather a very rich man in the process.

The Liverpool winger was just 18 months old when Peter Edwards bet £50 that his grandson would one day represent his country. The odds – 2500/1 – reflected the wackiness of the wager.

But when Wilson replaced Hal Robson-Kanu in the 87th minute of a World Cup qualifier against Belgium in Brussels in October 2013, it was jackpot time. Edwards landed £125,000, while Wilson replaced Gareth Bale as Wales’ youngest ever senior international. He was aged 16 years, 207 days.

Considering he had yet to feature for Liverpool’s U21 side at that point, it was some feat.

Sure, there may have been other factors at play at the time. The Welsh FA certainly had concerns about the prospect of Wilson switching allegiance – he was born in Wrexham but qualifies for England through his grandfather.

But not many players play competitive international football at 16. Wilson’s cameo may have lasted just three minutes, but his record is likely to stand for some time.

Three years on, the question is whether he can turn considerable promise into a career of substance.

His talent says he ought to, and his form suggests he can. Wilson has been outstanding for Liverpool’s U23 side this season. He’s their captain, their creative fulcrum and their leading scorer, closing in on 20 goals for the campaign.

Indeed, his performances have been so impressive (and so consistent) that there was a degree of surprise that he was not considered for first-team duty against Plymouth Argyle last weekend, when Jurgen Klopp fielded the youngest starting line-up in Anfield history.

Instead Wilson found himself in the rather less glamorous surroundings of Kirkby on Tuesday afternoon, playing in an U23s friendly match against Barnet in front of a crowd of less than 50 hardy souls at the Academy.

He impressed, mind. He was the best player on the pitch in the first half, embroidering his performance with a beautifully-taken goal to put his side 2-1 in front. Coming in from the right to shoot with his left foot is something of a trademark.

In the second half he plugged away down the wing, eventually getting his rewards in the final minute of the game. Winning a tackle on the halfway line, he raced clear down the right to square unselfishly for Jack Dunn to complete a 4-1 victory.

Next up for the U23s are Manchester United at Anfield next Monday, 24 hours after the senior sides meet at Old Trafford.

The timing of that fixture probably removes the possibility of Wilson being involved in the Plymouth cup replay that Wednesday, and it is hard to see a route into the first team for him this season.

A loan move, then? Unlikely, given his position as skipper and Klopp’s oft-stated scepticism around temporary moves. The Reds boss’ philosophy, generally, is that it is better for players to develop at Kirkby and Melwood rather than in the Football League.

Liverpool tried a loan with Wilson last season, sending him to Crewe Alexandra. He returned to Merseyside early, having made just three starts for the then League One outfit.

Steve Davis, his manager at Gresty Road, said the youngster had “just not done enough” to nail down a regular place in a side which would end the season bottom of the third tier.

It was clear that Wilson’s confidence suffered as a result, an issue exacerbated by an ongoing foot problem which cost him five months of action following his return. It turned 2015/16 into a nightmare campaign.

This season has been better. Wilson was honoured to be handed the captaincy in August, and has at various times led out sides containing the likes of Lucas Leiva, Danny Ings and Mamadou Sakho, among others.

“It is a role I am really enjoying,” Wilson told the ECHO last month. “I am learning the responsibilities of captain every day.”

Certainly there has been an added maturity, and consistency, to his game this season. Academy staff have been key to ensure he imposes himself more on matches, that he avoids drifting to the periphary and that he produces greater “numbers” – both in terms of goals and assists, as well as running figures and defensive actions.

The likes of Ben Woodburn and Trent Alexander-Arnold, for example, are as noted at Kirkby for their energy as they are their talent. You have to be able to run as well as play, if you want to be part of Klopp’s Liverpool, and that pair are regularly spotted doing extra cardio sessions, extra gym work. At 17 and 18 respectively, they are already being held up as examples at the Academy.

Wilson has also been encouraged to show more of his personality on the field, to talk to teammates, to referees, to conduct himself with authority. They want the boy to become a man, they want him ready for hard-nosed, senior football.

So far so good, in that respect. Wilson may not yet have forced his way into Klopp’s first-team plans, but he could not be doing much more to catch the manager’s eye. Those who deal with him have seen a marked difference in the last 12 months, he’s grown both on and off the field.

Still, it may be that, come the summer, some harsh decisions need to be made – either by the player or the club. Especially if, as expected, Klopp adds to his attacking options in the transfer market. Julian Brandt is a similar age to Wilson, Christian Pulisic is younger. Woodburn is already part of the senior setup.

Opportunities will always be limited at a club like Liverpool. Klopp is a manager who will always look inwards wherever possible, but there are only so many spaces. Wilson, who turns 20 in March, will soon find himself in a situation where first-team football is a necessity rather than a dream.

For now, though, his job is simple; keep doing what you’re doing. And if an opportunity presents itself, make sure you take it.