Liverpool teenager Jurgen Klopp made debut and could do national service under Rishi Sunak's plan

With a general election looming in the UK, Rishi Sunak – Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party – has outlined a controversial plan to reintroduce national service. The football world could feel the impact of such a decision, with a Liverpool youngster who made his debut under Jürgen Klopp fitting the criteria.

Football has suffered the consequences of conscription in the past. There was particular question over whether Heung-min Son would get an exemption if he won a trophy with South Korea, with success at the Asian Games ultimately reducing his mandatory 21-month service to just three weeks.

Egypt also implemented compulsory national service, and there was speculation that Mohamed Salah might have to return there and fulfill it during his years at Chelsea. However, the Liverpool star was granted an exemption, much to the relief of Klopp and the Reds.

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The finer details of Sunak's plan would be outlined by a royal commission and some exemptions could theoretically be provided. But in principle it would require all 18-year-olds to complete a year of military service or volunteer community service during one weekend of each month (BBC).

It is now one of the Conservative Party's election promises, meaning Sunak is expected to adopt the measure if his party gains a majority in the upcoming July 4 election. The scheme, costing around $3.2bn (£2.5bn/€2.9bn) a year, would come into force from September 2025.

Most forecasts predict a landslide defeat for the Conservatives in the election, so teens won't be sweating too much just yet. But if the plans come into effect within the proposed timeframe, highly-rated Liverpool teenager Trey Nyoni could be among those affected.

Currently aged 16, Nyoni, who was signed by Liverpool from Leicester City last summer, turns 17 next month. He will therefore be 18 at the proposed starting point, although it is not yet clear whether the program would only apply to those who turn 18 in the school year beginning in September.

Nyoni was the youngest player used by Liverpool this season, given his debut by Klopp in a 12-minute cameo against Southampton. He endeared himself to Reds fans by being unable to contain a beaming smile when substituted into action.

Some of Liverpool's other standout youngsters would certainly avoid the cut-off. Jayden Danns and Lewis Koumas, who played and scored in that FA Cup match, are both already 18 – meaning that unlike Nyoni and others potentially affected by the national service proposal, they will be able to vote during the next elections.

Liverpool.com says: Nyoni need not worry too much. All signs point to a convincing Labor victory on July 4, meaning this policy is very unlikely to see the light of day. Even if that were the case, Sunak would surely grant some exemptions, as disrupting the careers of promising English footballers is in no one's interests.