Klopp will manage the 18-year-old left back after two international injuries
Wednesday 19 July 2023: Calum Scanlon of Liverpool during the friendly match between Karlsruher SC and Liverpool FC at Wildparkstadion. Liverpool won 4-2. 19 October 2023
Liverpool suffered two left-back injuries during the international break and the in-form youngster was trained ahead of Saturday’s Merseyside derby.
The international break not only hurts momentum, but also opens up the possibility of injury – something Liverpool know all too well.
We are still unsure of the severity of Andy Robertson’s shoulder injury, although it looks serious, while left back Luke Chambers has picked up an ankle injury and Ben Doak is also out. It will be a blow for Robertson that Kostas Tsimikas will get his first league start of the season against Everton, but the young left-back will be hoping for his chance soon.
Calum Scanlon is not a new name to those who follow academy football or the Reds’ recent pre-season, with the 18-year-old making four appearances in the summer with a total of 77 minutes.
Jurgen Klopp singled out the left-back for praise at the Reds’ training camp in Germany, but he is yet to feature in the first team without competition, although that could soon change.
Wednesday July 19, 2023: Liverpool’s Callum Scanlon (L) and Melkamu Frauendorf ahead of the pre-season friendly between Karlsruher SC and Liverpool FC at Wildparkstadion. With Robertson sidelined and Chambers suffering another setback after injury derailed his early season, Scanlon could be one of the contenders to face Bournemouth in the League Cup. The fourth-round tie on the south coast takes place on November 1, and with Klopp switching sides for Wednesday’s games, the 18-year-old will get the chance to make his next debut.
Of course, a lot can happen from now, but he showed he can compete with senior opposition in pre-season and this season’s EFL awards after scoring against Morecambe.
The 18-year-old was not the only youngster taking part in training ahead of the Merseyside derby on Thursday, with James McConnell, Tommy Pilling and Trent Kone-Doherty also involved.
In addition, Caoimhin Kelleher returned after requiring stitches for knee surgery and Cody Gakpo provided an extra boost after taking part in the warm-ups before completing his individual work.
The Liverpool team will train on Thursday
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Wednesday, September 20, 2023: Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo trains at the AXA Training Center ahead of the UEFA Europa League Group E match between LASK and Liverpool FC. Goalkeepers: Alisson, Kelleher, Adrian, Mrozek, Jaros, Pitaluga
Defenders: Van Dijk, Matip, Konate, Gomez, Quansah, Alexander-Arnold, Tsimikas, Scanlon
Midfielders: Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Endo, Jones, Elliott, McConnell, Pilling
Forwards: Salah, Diaz, Jota, Nunez, Gakpo*, Kone-Doherty
* Did not participate in the entire training