Liverpool youngster Clae Ewing was part of first-team training on the eve of the FA Cup tie against Brighton, with the 19-year-old left-back an exciting new option.
Ewing has been a regular at left-back for Liverpool U21s this season and has caught the eye of coaches not least due to his strong numbers.
That has led to involvement in first-team training on a number of occasions, but perhaps none more significant than his role in Friday’s session.
Joining the senior squad the day before Liverpool host Brighton in the FA Cup fourth round, Ewing could now be in contention for a place on the bench at Anfield.
Who is Clae Ewing? New left-back in Liverpool training
Full Name
Clae Ewing
Age
19 (Oct 29, 2006)
Birthplace
Manchester, England
Nationality
English
Position
LB, CM
Signed From
Bury (U12s)
Liverpool are without four first-team defenders in Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni and new absentee Wataru Endo, while academy centre-back Wellity Lucky is also sidelined with a serious hamstring injury.
This could open up a spot on the bench for Ewing, who was part of training along with fellow academy players Amara Nallo and Kieran Morrison, both also 19.
Arne Slot remarked in his pre-match press conference that losing Endo to his long-term ankle injury would impact the depth at centre-back as well as right-back and his natural midfield role.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 30, 2024: Liverpool's Clae Ewing during the Under-18 Premier League match between Everton FC Under-18's and Liverpool FC Under-18's. the Mini-Mini-Merseyside Derby, at Finch Farm. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
That in turn could place more emphasis on Andy Robertson as a backup option at centre-back, which may explain Ewing’s inclusion despite the vice-captain and Milos Kerkez both being fit and training.
Initially viewed as a midfielder, Ewing has made the successful transition to a left-back role in recent seasons and has excelled despite a host of injuries.
He has made seven appearances so far this season in Premier League 2, including 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Southampton last weekend.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, December 8, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between FC Internazionale Milano and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
There were no new absentees from the 23-man squad spotted working outdoors at the AXA Training Centre, with a number of options available to Slot as he considers changes.
“A few of [the youngsters] come closer and closer to first-team football and a few of them already had it like Rio and Trey,” Slot told reporters on Friday morning.
“Games like this could be an option for them as well, but it’s finding the right balance because we do play a very good and strong team in Brighton tomorrow.
“Finding the right balance and who to play is something we’re going to think about even more today.”
Liverpool Training Squad vs. Brighton
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvili, Woodman
Defenders: Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Nallo, Kerkez, Robertson, Ramsay, Ewing
Midfielders: Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones, Nyoni
Forwards: Wirtz, Salah, Ekitike, Gakpo, Chiesa, Ngumoha, Morrison