Liverpool boss Arne Slot has called up more academy players to first-team training as injury problems continue to plague the champions
Arne Slot has looked to the Liverpool academy after confirming Jeremie Frimpong will miss the trip to Nottingham Forest
Arne Slot has looked to the Liverpool academy after confirming Jeremie Frimpong will miss the trip to Nottingham Forest(Image: (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
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Arne Slot has drafted in two more academy players to train alongside Liverpool's first-team squad this week, ahead of Sunday's trip to Nottingham Forest.
The Reds return to Premier League action this weekend following their FA Cup fifth-round qualification last week, with Slot's side eager to strengthen their chances of securing a Champions League spot next season as the Dutchman seeks his first victory against Forest at the fourth time of asking.
However, Slot's preparations have not been eased by an injury situation that shows no signs of improving, prompting him to call upon two more youngsters from the academy to bolster his training options. According to This Is Anfield, Josh Davidson and Terence Miles joined the first-team for training on Wednesday.
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Both players helped to shore up the defensive options during the session, with Liverpool stretched thin in that area following injuries to Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni and Wataru Endo.
Davidson, 20, is a right-back who has been at the club since the age of six, having put pen to paper on his first professional contract in October 2022.
Miles, 21, operates in the same position but is also capable of filling in as a centre-back.
Neither player is anticipated to feature on the bench against Forest this weekend, with the duo brought in purely to help replicate match situations during training sessions.
The duo accompanied fellow academy prospects Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni, who have established themselves as regular fixtures in Slot's first-team squad, along with Calvin Ramsay, who remains available despite the Liverpool manager virtually dismissing any chance of him featuring.
The presence of Davidson and Miles follows Slot's confirmation that Frimpong will be unavailable for the Forest fixture this weekend.
Rio Ngumoha heads to Liverpool training
Rio Ngumoha has been training with the Liverpool senior squad this season(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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The Dutch international has been sidelined since sustaining a thigh problem during the early moments of the Champions League meeting with Qarabag.
The 25-year-old may make his comeback against West Ham the subsequent weekend however, which would provide the Reds another vital option at right-back.
Meanwhile, Slot has stated Joe Gomez will be prepared to start if needed, having recently made his return from injury.
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Striker Alexander Isak could be back towards the latter part of March or early April, assuming there are no complications in his rehabilitation.
Isak has been spotted at the AXA Training Centre lately striking a ball for the first time since fracturing his leg against Tottenham in December, with the-26 year-old anticipated to feature in some capacity before the campaign concludes.