Four academy players joined Liverpool training on Friday, with the Reds’ first-team absentees potentially leading to a local 21-year-old being called on against Tottenham.
With Mo Salah away, plus Cody Gakpo, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni injured, it has created a pathway for some of Liverpool’s youngsters to gain experience in the first team.
Calvin Ramsay, Wellity Lucky, Kieran Morrison and Tommy Pilling were all called up for Friday’s training session in Kirkby ahead of the team’s journey to London later that day.
In addition, Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha were also involved as usual, while Stefan Bajcetic was spotted in the gym and running around the pitches separately from the squad.
BURTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 2, 2025: Liverpool's Tommy Pilling during the English Football League Trophy Northern Group H match between Burton Albion FC and Liverpool FC Under-21's at The Burton Albion FC Stadium. Burton won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Due to Liverpool’s many missing players in recent weeks, the likes of Lucky and Ramsay have featured on the bench in the Premier League.
For the Reds’ match at Tottenham, there is a possibility that Pilling, a technically-gifted midfielder, could make the bench in the league for the first time.
Twenty players are permitted in the matchday squad.
Possible XI: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones, Wirtz; Ekitike, Isak
Liverpool’s guaranteed players on the bench should be: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Federico Chiesa, Andy Robertson, Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni and Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Hungarian would start but an ankle injury against Brighton has cast doubt over his involvement. He trained on Friday, though, so he should at least make the bench.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, October 29, 2025: Liverpool's Kieran Morrison during the Football League Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. Palace won 3-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
This leaves two places. Lucky is expected to take one spot given he is the only other natural centre-half, aside from Van Dijk and Konate, training with the first team.
Ramsay was on the bench last weekend, but Frimpong’s return means Liverpool have two right-backs in the squad already so he may no longer be needed.
This would leave a place for Pilling or Morrison, both talented players. Morrison is the more attacking of the pair and, unlike Pilling, has already made his debut, against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup earlier this season.
Of course, Slot may opt to just name eight substitutes, not an unprecedented move. However, it makes sense to give a youngster the valuable experience of being involved, even if they don’t get on the pitch.
There are no under-21 games either this weekend, so they aren’t missing out on game time elsewhere.
Another scenario would see Liverpool put both back-up goalkeepers on the bench, Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman, leaving no room for Pilling or Morrison.
Liverpool squad in training on Fridqy
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, September 29, 2025: Liverpool's Federico Chiesa during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Galatasaray A.?. and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts/Propaganda)
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvili, Woodman
Defenders: Van Dijk, Konate, Bradley, Frimpong, Robertson, Kerkez, Ramsay, Lucky
Midfielders: Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Wirtz, Mac Allister, Jones, Nyoni, Pilling
Forwards: Ekitike, Isak, Chiesa, Ngumoha