Liverpool have made another late change to their Europa League squad ahead of facing Sparta Prague on Thursday night.
While Jurgen Klopp can not make any changes to his 23-man senior squad, the Reds added both Jayden Danns Mateusz Musialowski to their quota of ‘List B’ players, made up of eligible Under-21s player, last week ahead of the first leg of their round-of-16 tie in Czechia.
Boasting a 5-1 first leg aggregate lead, Liverpool have now also added defender Carter Pinnington to ‘List B’ ahead of welcoming Sparta Prague to Anfield.
The Reds will be without Ibrahima Konate for the clash against the Czech outfit after he limped off in the first leg in Prague, and subsequently missed both last weekend’s draw with Man City and open training on Wednesday. Speaking after the match, Klopp revealed the Frenchman could make his return against Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday, while also bemoaning his reduced centre-back options.
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“Ibou Konate is out, we start all three other centre halves (vs Man City),” he said. “One goes down, we play the next two games in six days with two centre-halves, who play all the time.”
He added: “Ibou has a chance for United. A good chance.”
With Konate sidelined for Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Man City, 17-year-old Amara Nallo was named on the bench. But having joined the Reds from West Ham United last summer, he is not yet eligible for a place on ‘List B’ - despite taking part in open training on Wednesday.
Consequently, with both players not available to face Sparta Prague, Liverpool have responded by adding Pinnington to their squad.
The 17-year-old joined the Academy at Under-7s level, and made his Under-21s debut in the Football League Trophy against Rochdale in September 2022. He has since become a regular for Barry Lewtas’ young Reds side this season, making 12 Premier League 2 appearances to date.
Predominantly a centre-back, Pinnington can also play as a defensive midfielder. And while he was not part of open training on Wednesday, UEFA have confirmed the teenager has been added to Liverpool’s squad ahead of hosting Sparta Prague.
Sides are able to register an unlimited number of players on ‘List B’ during the season, provided their updated list is submitted no later than 24:00 CET the day before a match.
And with both Konate and Nallo unavailable to face the Czech outfit, the Reds have taken advantage to bolster their defensive ranks.
Current List B players: Marcelo Pitaluga (out on loan), Fabian Mrozek, Luke Chambers (out on loan), Carter Pinnington, Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley, Harvey Elliott, Stefan Bajcetic, Calum Scanlon, James McConnell, Lewis Koumas, Thomas Hill, Kaide Gordon, Jayden Danns, Mateusz Musialowski, Melkamu Frauendorf.