JURGEN KLOPP has reportedly promoted EIGHT academy stars into Liverpool's first team squad as he searches for reinforcements during the club's injury crisis.

The Reds have had a series of set-backs in recent weeks and will be missing several first-team stars as they host Leicester on Sunday evening.

Mohammed Salah became the latest to join the missing list, after testing positive for Covid a second time.

Klopp has been left to search through the club's youth system during the international break to see if they are any players ready to step up to the big time.

The Mirror report eight youth players prepared with the rest of the first team at their new £50million state-of-the-art AXA Training Centre.

Among them was 18-year-old defender Billy Koumetio who has a real chance to impress given the severity of Liverpool's defensive absentees.

The group also included three goalkeepers in Vitezslav Jaros, Marcelo Pitaluga and Jakub Ojrzynski.

Klopp will also be casting an eye over midfield duo Jake Cain and Leighton Clarkson, who are both tipped to have exciting careers.

The other two young players who trained among senior players like James Milner was the attacking pair of Paul Glatzel and Luis Longstaff.

All eight of the youthful talents will be hoping for a shock inclusion into the matchday squad for the weekend's game.

Their chances are looking up with nine first team players likely to miss out.

They include the first choice centre-backs of Virgil Van Dijk – who limped off in the Merseyside derby after a poor challenge by Jordan Pickford – and Joe Gomez, injured while training with the national team.

Even the inexperienced debutant filling in for Fabinho against Midtjylland, in Rhys Williams, has been struck with the Liverpool curse this week.

Jordan Henderson and Andy Robertson also picked up knocks for England and Scotland respectively.

Trent Alexander-Arnold will be on the physio's table after injury against Manchester City, meaning the club's first choice back four will all be missing.

In midfield, Thiago and Fabinho are both expected to be out with injuries, while long-term absentee Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has not recovered from his strain yet.

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