Liverpool forward Josh Abe has picked up another injury, while U21s boss Rob Page was impressed by the performance of Mor Talla Ndiaye against Everton at Goodison Park
Josh Abe in action for Liverpool against Sunderland in preseason
Josh Abe in action for Liverpool against Sunderland in preseason(Image: Bill Barrett/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Young Liverpool forward Josh Abe is set for another spell on the sidelines after picking up a shoulder injury.
Abe, 16, who Liverpool kept hold of amid interest from Manchester City and Chelsea this summer, and who featured for the Reds on their U.S. tour, missed the back end of last season with a knee issue that he sustained while representing England in February.
The winger played for Liverpool's U18s last week but now needs a period of recovery. "He dislocated his shoulder," U21s boss Rob Page confirmed after his side drew 1-1 with Everton at Goodison Park. "It popped out and popped back in again.
"Apparently, he has had this problem for a while, so it's nothing major. It's just something that he is having to go through. He's got his arm in a sling as a precaution and we'll wait and see what happens."
Liverpool U21s went ahead against Everton through Will Wright, another to have featured in the senior side's preseason, but were quickly pegged back when Jack Patterson leveled with a good finish.
In the second half, Everton's Braiden Graham was sent off for throwing a punch, Mor Talla Ndiaye, the Liverpool center-back, ended up in goal when Harvey Davies was shown a red card, and the referee had to rule out a goal after blowing his whistle for a foul too early.
"It was a feisty one," Page said. "It was a typical derby game. I've just said to the boys that I'm proud of them for showing resilience. They had to dig in down to 10 men at the end of the game. We had already made our substitutions, so we couldn't put the keeper on. Mor (Talla Ndiaye) had played in goal before, and you just couldn't love that man any more!
Liverpool U21s head coach Rob Page is hoping for a big year
Liverpool U21s head coach Rob Page is hoping for a big year(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"He is an outstanding character, and what a signing he is. He was excellent in the game anyway. His passing and his reading of the game, knowing when to dribble out, was exceptional — and his defending. There was lots to talk about in the game.
"From a performance point of view, we are disappointed, of course. There's things we'll look back on and try to correct. We went with a different formation — we went with a 4-4-2 because we had Figgy (Keyrol Figueroa) and Will (Wright) available.
"So we couldn't really get an overload to start with in the middle to play through, but when we addressed it at half-time, we said about switching play and then the space will open up. That helped us a bit in the second half. At the start of the second half, we looked OK, and we looked in control of the game. But overall, pleased with a point considering the circumstances, and really pleased with their attitude."
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Some of the Liverpool players involved here — and some who were eligible but didn't feature — could head out on loan before the September 1 deadline.
"Our aim as development coaches is to get these players out playing competitive football — senior football if we can," Page added. "Kieran Morrison is a great example of that. He has had a great 12 months and he is now playing at a big club in Sheffield Wednesday in League One.
"Hopefully he can have a successful season there. That is our job, and it's no different for these lads — we want to get as many out playing senior football."