Isaac Mabaya's rise to the Liverpool first-team is complete having been handed his next first-team opportunity by Arne Slot. The 18-year-old has been named on the bench for Wednesday's clash with PSV Eindhoven.

With Liverpool's place in the Champions League round of 16 confirmed last week, Slot has opted to rest a number of his big stars ahead of the weekend game against Bournemouth. Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker, Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz have all not travelled to the Netherlands.

And so, the door has been opened to a number of the Reds' youngsters to be granted their opportunity on the main stage. Defender Mabaya is amongst those, and here the ECHO provides the key information about the starlet.

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Who is Isaac Mabaya?

The player was born on September 22, 2024, in Preston, Lancashire, to Zimbabwean parents. He was scouted at an early age and joined Liverpool's Academy at the mere age of six.

When did Isaac Mabaya sign for Liverpool?

As mentioned, Mabaya had been part of the club's youth set-up from a young age. He was eventually awarded with his first professional contract at the age of 17 in 2021, then renewed on fresh terms in May 2023.

Has Isaac Mabaya played for Liverpool?

By the time he had signed his first professional contract, Mabaya had already been included in Jurgen Klopp's squad for a 2022 pre-season tour of Asia, playing against Manchester United.

After he was welcomed into further training sessions at the AXA Training Centre, though prior to kick-off in Eindhoven is yet to make a full competitive first-team debut. The closest the 20-year-old came was January 2022, when left as an unused substitute for an FA Cup third round tie with Shrewsbury Town at Anfield.

As now his record for the Academy stands at 64 appearances in total, the majority of those coming for the Under-18s.

What has Vitor Matos said about Isaac Mabaya?

When part of the 2022 pre-season squad in Asia, Klopp's elite development coach, during a conversation with first-team assistant manager Pep Lijnders, said: "Isaac, his physical attributes are really, really good and he's someone that can really give life to the right side of a team."

What position does Isaac Mabaya play?

Mabaya has emulated the pathway of Alexander-Arnold throughout his Academy career.

He began as a traditional central midfielder but as he advanced through the age groups, the 20-year-old has learned to operate as a right-back and now primarily does so.

Has Isaac Mabaya played for England?

Throughout his youth career Mabaya has featured for the England youth teams, from Under-15 up to Under-19 level. His highlights are an Under-18s debut goal vs Sweden and an Under-19 debut assist for fellow Red Oakley Cannonier.

However, the full-back has since switched allegiances to Zimbabwe - allowed to do so through his parentage. He was called up to the senior squad by manager Baltemar Brito for FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Rwanda and Nigeria, though did not make his debut.