Liverpool look to be making efforts to deal with the amount of injuries they have been hit with this season
Liverpool manager Arne Slot gestures during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion
Arne Slot has acted on the club's defensive injury crisis(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista, Getty Images)
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot seems to have moved in response to the club's defensive injury problems as the Reds prepare for Premier League duty this weekend. Liverpool face Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.
Slot is aiming for a third consecutive victory as the battle for Champions League qualification intensifies. Whilst Liverpool have been plagued by inconsistency this campaign, they have also been hindered by injuries.
Extended spells on the sidelines for Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni and Wataru Endo have resulted in Slot struggling to maintain a settled defence this season. Today's news round-up sees the Reds manager take measures to address that problem, whilst Liverpool have once more been connected with launching a substantial summer offer for a talented young prospect.
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Slot responds to injury problems
Although Liverpool didn't bring in immediate cover during the January transfer window, with French defender Jeremy Jacquet set to arrive in the summer, Slot has called up two academy prospects to train with Liverpool's first-team group this week.
According to This Is Anfield, Josh Davidson and Terence Miles joined the first-team squad for training on Wednesday.
Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on February 18, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool bolstered their training with addition of two academy players(Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)
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Whilst neither player is likely to feature as a starter, or even a squad member, for this weekend's fixture against Forest, it demonstrates how the Reds boss is taking proactive measures to ensure the club remains well covered defensively should further injuries strike.
Davidson, 20, is a right-back who has been at the club since the age of six. He signed his first professional contract in October 2022. Miles, 21, is also a full-back by trade but can play at centre-half too.
£87m star on Liverpool's radar
Liverpool continue to be linked with RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande. The 19-year-old has reportedly been watched on numerous occasions this season, with Liverpool's top brass — including chief executive of football Michael Edwards and chief scout Barry Hunter — keeping a close eye on the youngster.
Diomande has contributed 15 goals and assists from 25 appearances this season. A number of reports emerging this week have suggested that the Reds are keen to be in contention for the Ivory Coast star's signature, with Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Tottenham also believed to be in the running.
ESPN reported that Diomande has even been identified by Liverpool as a prime candidate to succeed Mohamed Salah at Anfield. One potential obstacle could be the asking price, with talkSPORT claiming that Diomande will command a fee of at least £87m, with the total cost potentially exceeding £100m.
Yan Diomande puts his hands on his hips and looks on
Yan Diomande is a player in demand(Image: Getty Images)
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However, Leipzig's negotiating position could weaken should they fail to qualify for Champions League football next season, with Diomande understood to be keen on competing in Europe's elite competition. Leipzig are presently engaged in a fight to clinch fourth spot in the Bundesliga.
In a further encouragement for the Reds, Diomande actually mentioned Liverpool by name earlier this year. "I want to play at Anfield, I want to play for Liverpool. I'm a big Liverpool fan. My father's dream is to see me play for Liverpool," he said.
Nevertheless, he clarified those remarks this week, saying: "People made it out to be my dream club, but first and foremost, it's my dad's favourite club.
"It was always his great wish to see me play there someday because he loves the atmosphere at Anfield. He always raved about Steven Gerrard. I was too young to see him play. We didn't even have a TV at home for a long time."