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Liverpool’s opening match in the Uefa Youth League was overshadowed by a worrying injury suffered by Will Wright.
The forward, who joined from Salford City over the summer, appeared to jar his knee in the opening exchanges of the encounter at the AXA Training Centre, and was unable to continue. Wright received on-field treatment from Liverpool’s physios before he was taken off on a stretcher.
The teenager was replaced by Kareem Ahmed in the 12 minute, and concerns about Wright’s fitness were the biggest talking point from a relatively lacklustre game. It finished 0-0 at Kirkby, with just four shots on target between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid in an even but feisty affair that produced seven yellow cards.
The Uefa Youth League is essentially the equivalent of the underage Champions League, with sides competing in the senior tournament also represented by their Under-19s in the Youth League.
Rob Page, who replaced Barry Lewtas over the summer, took charge of the side, with Trey Nyoni captaining the team. Jayden Danns’ exclusion from the squad is seen as a sign that he will be in the senior squad to face Atletico on Wednesday.
The Youth League replicates the fixtures played at the senior level, although there are only six fixtures in the league phase, meaning Liverpool’s Under-19s won’t play Marseille or Qarabag, the final two fixtures Arne Slot’s senior side plays in the Champions League league phase.
Liverpool’s starting XI on Wednesday featured the highly rated Joe Upton, Kieran Morrison, Josh Sonni-Lambie and Trent Kone-Doherty, but it’s Wright who drew the most attention.
Liverpool fought off competition from Arsenal to sign the forward this summer, with the Reds paying $266k (£200k) for his services.
The 17-year-old has played for the Under-21s so far this season, starting two of the four matches at that level. He is yet to score, but patience will be shown in Wright, who has been fast-tracked and essentially bypassed the Under-18s.
"We are absolutely delighted for Will to complete his move to Liverpool after a very successful season as a first year scholar," said Jamie Russell, Salford's head of academy, when the transfer was announced.
"He has earned this opportunity and we are excited to see how he continues to develop and progress."
Wright featured in Liverpool’s first-team friendly against Athletic Bilbao last month, replacing Florian Wirtz just a few weeks after leaving League Two.
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