During the international break, Liverpool lost two left-backs to injuries, and in preparation for the Merseyside derby on Saturday, a well-known young player was brought into training.
The international break not only makes it difficult to build any momentum, but it also increases the risk of injury, which Liverpool is all too familiar with.
Although it appears serious, the extent of Andy Robertson’s shoulder injury is yet unknown. Ben Doak also succumbed, and teammate left-back Luke Chambers suffered an ankle injury.
The fact that Kostas Tsimikas will start in the league for the first time this season against Everton will be a blow to Robertson, but a young left-back will hope a window of opportunity soon falls with him.
Those who follow academy football or the Reds’ most recent preseason will be familiar with Calum Scanlon; the 18-year-old played four times for a total of 77 minutes in the summer.
During the Reds’ training camp in Germany, Jurgen Klopp picked out the left-back for praise. He has yet to play in a competitive first-team match, but that could soon change.
Scanlon might be a candidate for the team that plays Bournemouth in the League Cup with Robertson out and Chambers suffering yet another setback after an injury interrupted his pre-season.
On November 1, the fourth-round match will be played on the south coast, and with Klopp rotating his lineup for games throughout the workweek, the 18-year-old has a chance to make his debut.
Of course, a lot can happen between now and then, but after scoring against Morecambe this season, he demonstrated this season’s EFL Trophy that he can play against senior opposition.
In preparation for the Merseyside derby, James McConnell, Tommy Pilling, and Trent Kone-Doherty were also called into training on Thursday in addition to the 18-year-old.
In addition, Cody Gakpo provided another boost after participating in the warm-ups before finishing his own individual training, and Caoimhin Kelleher returned after needing stitches for a cut to his knee.
The Liverpool team trained on Thursday.
Goalkeepers: Allison, Kelleher, Adrian, Mrozek, Jaros, Pitaluga
Defenders: Van Dijk, Matip, Konate, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold, Tsimikas, Scanlon
Midfielders: Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Endo, Jones, Elliott, McConnell, Pilling
Forwards: Salah, Diaz, Jota, Nunez, Gakpo (did not take part in the training), Kone-Doherty