Liverpool youngster Kieran Morrison is training with the first team ahead of the trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday, having also been on the bench in midweek.
Morrison was one of five academy players drafted into Arne Slot‘s squad for the Carabao Cup third-round win over Southampton.
While the majority of those have since returned to work with the U21s, the 18-year-old was still part of first-team sessions on Thursday.
That comes with Hugo Ekitike suspended for the trip to Selhurst Park and Slot therefore potentially in need of another attacking option.
It remains to be seen if Morrison will be involved against Palace but his inclusion in senior training is a marker of his growing reputation.
This Is Anfield understands the teenager had attracted interest from Wolves, Burnley and Sunderland heading into the summer, as well as clubs in Germany and the Championship.
But he opted to stay at Liverpool and is expected to sign a new contract as his current terms are due to expire at the end of this season.
His commitment has been rewarded as he is now taking up his favoured role on the right wing under new U21s head coach Rob Page and finds himself on the fringes of the first team.
Beyond the absent Giovanni Leoni, who is set to miss the rest of the season having suffered a torn ACL in Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Southampton, there appear to be no other new issues within Slot’s squad.
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Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Florian Wirtz, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo – all rested for the cup – were involved on Thursday.
As was Alexis Mac Allister, who celebrated the birth of his daughter Alaia on Monday and subsequently missed both the Ballon d’Or ceremony and the visit of Will Still’s side.
Ekitike was part of training as usual but Slot will be required to choose between either Alexander Isak or Federico Chiesa to lead the line against Palace.
Jayden Danns could be another option to boost the attacking numbers but the 19-year-old is more likely to be involved when the U21s head to Ipswich for a 12pm kickoff on Saturday – as could Stefan Bajcetic if fit enough.
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