Pre-season has evolved into something barely recognisable from what it once was. Transatlantic flights, commercial fanfares, tens of thousands of supporters packing into American stadiums to watch their side play in the July heat. The spectacle is extraordinary. But strip it all back and the summer tour still serves a very old-fashioned purpose — giving young players a chance to show what they are made of.

For Liverpool this summer, that purpose felt more relevant than ever. With a significant number of senior forwards either injured or unavailable following international commitments, new head coach Andoni Iraola found himself leaning heavily on the Academy contingent during the club's trip to the United States. And from what we saw, he will not be disappointed with what came back.

The name generating the most excitement is Josh Abe. The 16-year-old has been turning heads for some time — Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City were all circling before he committed his immediate future to Liverpool, a club he has called home since he was four years old. That loyalty deserves enormous credit. So does his ability. Abe became the youngest Liverpool player to feature in the UEFA Youth League when he appeared at just 15 years of age back in February, and on tour he played the final quarter of the win over Sunderland in Nashville before starting the first half against Wrexham. He is 16. The ceiling is genuinely difficult to imagine. Expect him to feature for the U21s this season, and do not be surprised if he keeps nudging that ceiling upward.

Of those with slightly more first-team miles on the clock, Lewis Koumas caught the eye. The 20-year-old got himself on the scoresheet against Sunderland and impressed throughout the tour more broadly. Having helped Hull City win promotion during a loan spell last season, Koumas arrives back at Liverpool with genuine senior experience under his belt and a reputation that has clearly travelled. Liverpool are bracing themselves for both loan and permanent offers as the transfer deadline approaches, which tells you everything about how the club views his value. One move to Burnley, where Wales manager Craig Bellamy was set to take charge, fell through — but the interest itself speaks volumes.

Kieran Morrison is another player who has announced himself in the most direct way possible. The 19-year-old Northern Ireland international scored the first goal of the Iraola era against Sunderland, which is the kind of moment a young player carries with him. He also started the defeat to Leeds United on Sunday. With options currently thin on Liverpool's right flank, Morrison looks set to be handed further opportunities in the upcoming Anfield friendlies against Monaco and Como. Whether that leads to a decision on a possible loan move remains to be seen, but he is clearly in the conversation.

Will Wright, 17, started against Sunderland and came off the bench against Wrexham. Having lost a significant portion of last season with the U21s to injury, the priority for Wright is likely to be development rather than departure — barring a loan offer that is genuinely too good to turn down.

Josh Sonni-Lambie, the 18-year-old who finished last season as the U18s' top scorer, had a brief run-out against Wrexham. Fifteen minutes in the company of senior professionals, even in a pre-season friendly, carries more weight than it might look. He steps up to U21 level this season and that brief taste of the senior environment will only help.

Not everyone made the tour, but that does not mean the news is any less encouraging. Keyrol Figueroa — who made the senior matchday squad last season and signed a new deal over the summer — was part of the U21s training camp in Slovenia, where he scored twice in a 4-3 friendly win over NK Celje. He then added two more in a 4-3 loss to Cardiff City at the AXA Training Centre at the weekend. Four goals in two matches is a compelling argument. Liverpool believe he is ready for men's football, and loan interest from League One side Barnsley and League Two duo Salford City and Shrewsbury Town suggests others agree.

The one genuinely frustrating update involves Jayden Danns. The 20-year-old would have been on the plane to the States but for yet another injury setback, adding to what has been a punishing 18 months plagued by fitness problems. The good news is that Liverpool are expecting him back before the end of the month, at which point loan interest could follow. He deserves a sustained run at senior football and everyone connected with the club will be hoping this is finally the moment his career gets the platform it has long promised.

Iraola has arrived at Liverpool with a reputation for developing young players and trusting them when they are ready. If this summer is anything to go by, he will not be short of options. The questions now are who stays, who goes out on loan, and which of these names will still be in the conversation when the season gets seriously underway.