Who is Clae Ewing? New face joins Liverpool training ahead of Brighton

Liverpool youngster Clae Ewing was promoted to first-team training on Friday ahead of the Reds' FA Cup game against Brighton at Anfield on Saturday

Clae Ewing trained with Liverpool's senior team on Friday(Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)

There was a new player involved in Liverpool training on Friday as Clae Ewing made the step up to train with the senior squad ahead of Saturday's FA Cup meeting with Brighton.

Ewing, 19, has been a regular for the Reds' Under-21 team after returning to the team at the end of October following more than seven months out due to injury.

The teenager signed his first professional contract with Liverpool last March, having joined the Reds from Bury at Under-12 level several years ago. Upon signing his first contract with Liverpool, Ewing wrote on social media: "A lot of sleepless nights and a whole lot of grinding… was gon’ say it took forever, but this perfect timing."

Ewing is a left-sided player, who can either play as a left winger or as a left-back.

Shortly before Ewing's 2024-25 season was ended by injury last March, he made his debut for Liverpool's Under-21s, earning praise from then U21s boss Barry Lewtas.

"He was excellent," Lewtas said of Ewing. "He gave us a really nice balance. We didn’t have Rio Ngumoha, who was away with England, but there were good signs with Clae and Trent Kone-Doherty down the left.

"If we can get these combinations to work then hopefully we can have a good finish to the season."

Ewing in training on Friday(Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)

It is not clear whether Ewing will be involved in the gameday squad when Liverpool hosts Brighton on Saturday, although Liverpool boss Arne Slot did say during his pre-game press conference that he is always looking for openings to hand opportunities to young players.

"I am always looking at the younger players," Slot said. "A few of them come closer and closer to first-team football. A few already had it, like Rio [Ngumoha] and Trey [Nyoni], and games like this could be an option as well, but it is about finding the right balance."

Slot suggested that the caliber of Liverpool's opponent makes it less likely that he will field a less experienced side.

"We play a very strong team with Brighton and getting the right balance with who to play is something to think about," Slot added. "Of course it gives us more questions [that it is Brighton]. If we had a different opponent, then I maybe make other choices."