Liverpool has seen a positive shift in their injury situation lately, with fewer players sidelined and an increasing number making their return to fitness. Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah have already rejoined the team lineup.
Moreover, after the international break, three more players are anticipated to return to the fold. Ryan Gravenberch, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Curtis Jones are all expected to be available for Liverpool’s match against Brighton, marking a significant boost for the team.
Adding to the optimism, Jurgen Klopp recently announced his expectation for Stefan Bajcetic to rejoin Liverpool’s first-team training later this month.
The Spain U21 international has been sidelined with growth-related issues for nearly a year, hardly making appearances for Liverpool.
Fortunately, Bajcetic isn’t the sole young talent making a comeback from a long-term injury at Liverpool.
Another promising player marked his return yesterday, featuring for Liverpool’s U21 team in a 2-0 win over Manchester City.
Victory and a Welcome Return Against Manchester City
Liverpool celebrated a notable win over Manchester City in the Premier League 2 yesterday, with Rhys Williams and Trent Kone-Doherty finding the net to secure a commendable victory for the young Reds.
Beyond the triumph, there was additional cause for joy at the final whistle.
In the game’s closing stages, Isaac Mabaya was brought onto the field. The 19-year-old promising talent has been sidelined due to an injury since September, marking his return to competitive play for the first time since participating in a 4-1 victory over Middlesbrough with the U21 team.
Seeing Mabaya back in action is a positive development. He’s a highly regarded player capable of filling various roles on the team. In his appearances for Liverpool’s first team, he has predominantly played as a right-back. Nearly two years ago, he was actively involved with the first team, regularly training under Jurgen Klopp’s guidance.
Pre-Season Prominence and High Expectations
In the summer of 2022’s pre-season, Mabaya was a prominent figure in the club’s first-team lineup. Jurgen Klopp had high praise for him during this period, especially impressed by Mabaya’s ability to deliver standout performances at such a young age.
Setbacks and Hope for Recovery
Regrettably, what followed for Mabaya was a series of unfortunate events. He suffered a serious injury at the beginning of the next season, sidelining him for 10 months.
Upon his return at the start of this season, he encountered another setback, missing an additional six months due to injury.
There’s hope yet for Mabaya to change his trajectory. At just 19 years old, he still possesses the potential to be reconsidered for the first team. For now, his focus will be on taking things one step at a time.