Liverpool youngster Will Wright has avoided serious injury despite being stretchered off in the recent 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid U19s in the UEFA Youth League.
Wright was forced off early into Liverpool’s opening UEFA Youth League clash having jarred his knee in a strong challenge.
The nature of his injury and the fact he required a stretcher to be carried for further treatment led to fears of a long-term layoff.
But the 17-year-old is only expected to be sidelined for a matter of weeks, with Liverpool confident he can return within the next two months.
His layoff comes a month-and-a-half on from his £200,000 move from Salford City, which saw him turn down a more lucrative offer from Arsenal to join the Premier League champions.
Hours after his transfer was confirmed Wright made his unofficial first-team debut as he replaced Florian Wirtz in the 3-2 friendly win over Athletic Club at Anfield.
Wright almost scored within minutes of coming on but he was denied by goalkeeper Unai Simon, and he is yet to net in five competitive appearances for Liverpool’s academy sides this season.
With a mid-November comeback pencilled in, there will be few opportunities for Wright to play for either the U21s and U19s before the end of the year.
Rob Page’s U21s play their final official game of 2025 against League Two side Chesterfield in the Vertu Trophy on November 11, while the U19s will play PSV Eindhoven on November 26 and Inter Milan on December 9.
However with Wright also eligible for the U18s and behind-closed-doors friendlies likely to be arranged there will be more chances for him to regain match fitness.
Jayden Danns and Kaide Gordon are both options in his absence, while Keyrol Figueroa, Oakley Cannonier and Kareem Ahmed will hope for game time and Josh Sonni-Lambie is edging towards a promotion from the U18s ranks.
3 other youngsters nearing return
The U21s squad will be boosted in the coming weeks as Stefan Bajcetic, Luke Chambers and Calum Scanlon all near their return from long-term injury.
Bajcetic has been sidelined since May, when he underwent surgery on his hamstring, while left-backs Scanlon (hamstring) and Chambers (back) have been out since February and April respectively.
They will all be given an opportunity to rebuild their fitness with appearances for the U21s, with Bajcetic then primed to resume his role in Arne Slot‘s first-team squad.
Liverpool U21s are next in action on Monday night when they visit Ipswich for a 7pm kickoff.