Italy vs Northern Ireland: Who is Kieran Morrison – the winger who has never played for the national team?

As a result of the impact he has made this season at club level, BBC Sport’s Liverpool correspondent Adam Patel is not surprised to be included in Michael O’Neill’s 28-man squad.

“Given how the season has gone, it wasn’t a huge surprise,” Patel said.

“The numbers he is putting up at PL2 level are really impressive and deep down he knows that this year or next year is the year he takes that step.

“This year a lot of people know him and he knows his qualities. Kieran will be excited because he loves playing football.”

With the likes of Mohamed Salah and Cody Jacobo in the same position as Morrison, Patel is unsure whether he will start for the first team before the end of the season.

But he added that he “needs more proper time playing with the first team” to fully develop.

Patel continued: “He has shown that he is good enough to be in the team there, and if you can be in the Liverpool squad, why can’t you do it at international level?”

“He just needs more proper time playing with the first team. He’s a leader too, so he won’t be shy.

“He just needs to show what he can do and keep up with the standards he has set.”