Liverpool goalkeeper Armin Pecsi has not played at any level for the Reds since September, despite having arrived in the summer with high praise from those who have worked with him.
Before joining Liverpool, Pecsi had been nominated for the prestigious European Golden Boy award and played 70 times for Puskas Akademia.
His transition to life at Liverpool has been unusual, though, with the 20-year-old caught between academy and first team.
While he has played for Hungary U21s, Pecsi hasn’t featured at any level for Liverpool since September 27 for the under-21s at Ipswich.
Including that 3-2 defeat at Ipswich U21s, the Hungarian has played just five times for Rob Page’s under-21s.
Asked if there were any plans for him to feature soon, Page told This Is Anfield: “Of course, yeah. The door is open both ways.
“So he’s with the first team at the minute because of injuries but no doubt, when the time is right and they’ve got a clean bill of health at the top, we’ll have him back involved.”
The injured player Page referred to is Alisson. Liverpool’s Brazilian has now missed six weeks with his latest hamstring injury, but he is set to return after the international break.
In the No. 1’s absence, Giorgi Mamardashvili has taken his place as senior goalkeeper and Freddie Woodman has taken up the position of second in command.
It has also meant Pecsi being called up more consistently to train with the first team and travel with the squad when needed – he made the bench against Crystal Palace in the League Cup and Aston Villa in the Premier League.
With Alisson‘s return, Pecsi could soon be allowed to return to academy action, though the under-21s don’t actually have a scheduled match until January 9 which would be 15 weeks since his last Liverpool outing.
Balancing goalkeepers’ playing time
Of course, Pecsi isn’t the only young goalkeeper vying for places at Liverpool.
Bailey Hall, Kornel Misciur and Fabian Mrozek are also competing in the academy this season, leading Page to ponder how he balances their game time with competition for places.
“It is difficult because you want that continuity; you want the goalkeeper to have an understanding of playing with a back four and it certainly helps by having that continuity,” said the former Wales manager.
“It’s competition for places and that’s what you want.
“To create a healthy environment in football you need competition for places. You can’t have players just taking for granted that they’re going to get the jersey.”
Misciur has previously been considered the brightest upcoming goalkeeping talent at Liverpool, but he has played just six times this season.
Meanwhile, Hall has enjoyed 12 appearances but mostly at under-18 level, with four coming in the under-19 UEFA Youth League and one in Premier League 2.
As for Mrozek, he has been given the three EFL Trophy matches but won’t play any further part in the competition due to the Reds being knocked out on Tuesday.