Liverpool Under-23s Boss Admits Key Players May Depart on Loan in January

Liverpool Under-23s boss Neil Critchley has revealed their Premier League 2 title aspirations could be dented by a number of departures in January.

The Reds are currently top of the table, but are facing up to the prospect of a number of star youngsters heading out on-loan to gain first team experience.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Critchley said; "One or two of our players, or maybe more, might get that opportunity to go and dip their toe in senior football.

Image by Toby Cudworth

“This might affect our results a little bit and we might not win the league.”

Leading marksman Harry Wilson is among those likely to step up a level, having established himself as Critchley's talisman over the past two seasons.

The 20-year old, who whose loan spell at Crewe two years ago was disrupted by injury, scored 28 goals during the 2016/17 campaign, and the Welshman's prolific form this season is likely to earn him another chance at first-team action.

Another more established star whose name might be on the departures board could be that of forgotten man Danny Ings.

25-year-old Ings has endured an injury nightmare since moving to Anfield in 2015, suffering consecutive cruciate knee ligament injuries.

The former Burnley striker has been a regular fixture in the Under-23s side this season, and a loan or permanent move away from Liverpool looks likely as Ings looks to re-establish himself in the Premier League.

Highly-rated youngsters Marko Grujic and Ben Woodburn are other potential departures, with the club keen to expose the duo to competitive football ahead of a potential breakthrough into the first team.