Liverpool have added a new defender to their Europa League squad ahead of tonight’s clash against Sparta Prague.
The Reds hold a 5-1 aggregate lead ahead of the last-16 second-leg clash at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp‘s side firmly have one foot in the door of the quarter-finals as their quest for a quadruple this season goes on. However, Liverpool continue to be plagued by injury issues. Ibrahima Konate pulled up in last week’s victory over Sparta in the Czech captial. The defender subsequently missed Sunday’s enthralling 1-1 draw against Manchester City while he was not spotted in training yesterday. With Joel Matip recovering from a long-term knee injury, it means Liverpoool have three fit centre-halves available – Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah.
Although Amara Nallo was on the bench against City, he is not eligible to face Sparta due to UEFA squad rules. He was signed from West Ham last summer and has not been at the club for two years, so he is not able to be named on Liverpool‘s List B despite being under-21. There is no room in the Reds‘ List A, with Matip being removed for the knockout stage to accommodate third-choice custodian Adrian in the injury absence of No.1 Alisson Becker.
As a result, Carter Pinnginton has been added to the squad, as reported by the UEFA official website. The 17-year-old has been a regular with the under-21s this season, while being eligible for the under-18s. Pinnington has made 16 appearances for Barry Lewtas’ team and six for his own age group. Pinnington is from the Wirral and has represented England at the under-15 and under-16 levels.Carter was not seen working alongside Klopp‘s squad at the AXA working Centre yesterday. However, it appears that he will make his first-team debut.
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