Liverpool U21s coach Rob Page has provided positive injury updates on James McConnell and new signing Mor Talla Ndiaye, with the latter now back in training.
It has been a tough few months for McConnell, but he is now back outdoors and edging closer to a return.
Following a relatively unsuccessful loan move to Ajax, the 21-year-old returned to Liverpool in January following John Heitinga’s exit as Ajax coach.
Having made just seven appearances for the Dutch giants, he arrived back on Merseyside requiring minor surgery on an issue.
PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 9, 2025: Liverpool's James McConnell during the FA Cup 4th Round match between Plymouth Argyle FC and Liverpool FC at Home Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Thankfully, This Is Anfield understands he is recovering well and has been taking part in non-contact work at the academy over the last couple of weeks.
Coach Page confirmed on Sunday: “Macca’s had his first day back on grass yesterday.”
Mor Talla Ndiaye is in full training
Following his arrival from Senegalese outfit FC Amitie for £1 million in January, Ndiaye’s start to life hasn’t quite gone to plan.
The centre-half has spent his first month recovering from a ‘minor issue’ found during his medical, but he is now in full training and “should feature before the end of the season,” according to Page.
The Welsh coach explained to This Is Anfield: “We’ve got Mor coming back in. Mor’s training with us every day now so we’ll build his fitness up gradually and hopefully we’ll get to see him in the next couple of weeks.”
Keyrol Figueroa is “a little bit off”
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Sunday, September 21, 2025: Liverpool's Keyrol Figueroa during the Premier League 2 match between Liverpool FC Under-21's and Manchester United FC Under-21's at the Liverpool Academy. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
With Oakley Cannonier, Jayden Danns and Will Wright out for much of the first half of the campaign, Keyrol Figueroa stepped up to the plate as the under-21s’ striker.
He scored 11 goals in 14 league games before suffering a foot injury in February. Asked how close Figueroa is to a return, Page said: “He’s a little bit off, Figgy.
“I think I saw him plodding around one of the pitches yesterday, but no, it’s a shame because he was in such good form at the time, but we’ll get him back as soon as we can.”
Meanwhile, fellow academy striker Danns is back in training following over five months out with a hamstring injury.