- U23s boss Neil Critchley gives update on Harry Wilson future
- Winger expected to leave on loan this month in search of first team football
- Ovie Ejaria and Lloyd Jones also tipped for temporary moves elsewhere
- SEE MORE: Liverpool could finally seal long-awaited transfer for £20m man
Neil Critchley admits he could lose three more of his youth stars before the January transfer window shuts.
The U23s boss is preparing to see his squad cut down further as Liverpool’s promising youngsters seek loan moves in aid of gaining regular first team football.
Talisman Harry Wilson is one of those expected to leave in search of a new challenge following two prolific seasons in the club’s second-string side.
The Welshman could be joined by Ovie Ejaria and Lloyd Jones in leaving Merseyside until the end of he season, although Critchley admits their future may hinge on first team requirements.
“More loans is a possibility,” Critchley told the Liverpool Echo.
“You look at Harry, Ovie and we still have Lloyd with us at the moment. They would be the three who would come under the radar of other clubs.”
“There are lots of variables. What happens at first-team level will have an impact on who stays and who goes. If they go on loan brilliant, if they don’t and they keep playing well here they will be knocking on the door.”
“They are in a good situation at the moment. There is no rush for them. We’ll see what happens over the next week.”
Wilson in particular finds himself deserving of another shot of regular first team football, having endured an injury-stricken stint with Crewe in 2015.
The 20-year-old has been incredibly unlucky not to have been granted more opportunities under Jurgen Klopp, especially having seen the likes of Ben Woodburn, Ovie Ejaria and Trent Alexander-Arnold given their breakthroughs by the German.
Ejaria has enjoyed a similarly productive year in the U23s, thriving in his no.10 role and demonstrating their flair and creativity that has earned him such a positive reputation at the club.
Marko Grujic was the latest in a flurry of youth departures, joining Championship promotion hopefuls Cardiff City on loan until the end of the season.
Elsewhere, Ryan Kent is currently in the early weeks of his temporary spell with Bristol City having returned early from his deal with Bundesliga club Freiburg.
Both followed the sale of Cameron Brannagan to Oxford United, as well as loan moves for Corey Whelan and Matty Virtue to Yeovil Town and Notts County, respectively.