Liverpool striker Will Wright joined first-team training on Thursday ahead of the visit of Crystal Palace in the Premier League, following injury to Hugo Ekitike.
Ekitike will spend the rest of the year on the sidelines after undergoing surgery to fix his ruptured Achilles last week.
It means Alexander Isak is the only specialist senior centre-forward available to Arne Slot in the closing weeks of the season, with Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa his alternatives.
But with Liverpool preparing to face Palace at Anfield on Saturday, 18-year-old Wright was brought into first-team training.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 1, 2026: Liverpool's Will Wright during the Premier League 2 match between Liverpool FC Under-21's and Tottenham Hotspur FC Under-21's at the Liverpool Academy. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The summer signing from Salford City joined Slot’s senior squad for their session at the AXA Training Centre on Thursday.
It could even lead to a place on the bench in the Premier League, though Wright will also be considered for the U21s’ round-of-16 playoff against Palace U21s on Sunday.
His involvement comes with Jayden Danns still out after a hamstring injury and not likely to be in contention until pre-season.
This Is Anfield understands while Danns is now back in individual training on grass he will not be rushed back and will instead look to make an impression as part of Slot’s wider squad this summer.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, December 8, 2025: Liverpool's Joe Gomez 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)
Liverpool were also boosted by the return of Joe Gomez on Thursday, with the versatile defender having missed the 2-1 win over Everton at the weekend.
Gomez was not seen with the squad in Wednesday’s session but was able to rejoin his team-mates two days before the visit of Palace.
That should allow him to take a place on the bench for the 3pm kickoff, with Slot able to choose between Jeremie Frimpong, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones at right-back.
Wright has enjoyed an impressive campaign following his £200,000 move from Salford in August, with four goals and five assists in his last 10 games for the U21s.
He recovered well from a serious knee injury earlier in the season and has caught the eye of both academy and first-team staff with his all-action performances.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 1, 2026: Liverpool's Will Wright celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Premier League 2 match between Liverpool FC Under-21's and Tottenham Hotspur FC Under-21's at the Liverpool Academy. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I played centre-half most of my career, and I wouldn’t want to play against Will,” U21s head coach Rob Page told The Redmen TV‘s Dan Clubbe in February.
“He works his socks off. He never gives up. His physicality is exceptional.
“There are aspects of his game we’ve got to work on, of course, but he’s been brought in to develop. It’s all part of the process for him.
“When you’ve got a foundation of work rate, effort and physicality, that gives you a great chance to get on in the game. He’s a big part of the team.”
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