A number of young Liverpool academy players trained with Jurgen Klopp‘s first team on Thursday, in preparation for a friendly clash.
The Reds take on Huddersfield Town in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Friday, with Klopp and close friend David Wagner arranging the fixture to improve the fitness of their respective sides.
Liverpool have 14 first-team players out on international duty, however, with a further four out injured in Loris Karius, Joe Gomez, Emre Can and Sheyi Ojo.
This has led Klopp to draw upon his academy ranks throughout the September break, with a host of talented youngsters taking to Melwood on Thursday afternoon.
Nineteen-year-old goalkeeper Andy Firth, who signed his first professional deal with the club in July, was among those to feature.
He could line up behind defensive colleagues such as Joe Maguire, Conor Masterson, Corey Whelan and new signing Juanma, the versatile Spaniard who joined on a free transfer this summer.
Midfielders Adam Phillips, Yan Dhanda and summer addition Rafa Camacho also took part in training alongside more familiar names such as Cameron Brannagan, Pedro Chirivella and Ovie Ejaria, while Rhian Brewster and Toni Gomes will be hoping to feature in attack against the Terriers.
Among the senior players to join training on Thursday were Alex Manninger, Lucas Leiva, Alberto Moreno, James Milner, Joel Matip, Kevin Stewart, Connor Randall, Roberto Firmino and Danny Ings.
Their presence should ensure a competitive atmosphere in Friday’s friendly, particularly with players like Ings looking to secure a first-team place.
Ings was the subject of a number of loan bids during the summer transfer window, but Klopp moved to reject all offers, insisting that the former Burnley man had a key role to play in 2016/17.
The 23-year-old is still short of full fitness, however, and is yet to feature for Liverpool since pre-season.
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