Liverpool striker taken off on stretcher in European opener vs Atletico

Liverpool have quietly confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Matty Wright, who will initially join the under-18 squad led by Simon Wiles. Wright, who spent last season in non-league football after leaving Blackpool, was listed among Liverpool’s 56 players aged 21 or under for the new Premier League campaign. He has already trained with the U18s and was an unused substitute in a recent 3-3 friendly against Blackburn. For now, Wright will support regular U18 goalkeepers Bailey Hall and DJ Bernard. Liverpool’s academy currently features seven goalkeepers, including players for U21 and U18 squads.

Wright’s arrival follows multiple recent goalkeeper changes within the academy, with three training goalkeepers leaving at the end of the last season. Alongside Wright’s signing, Liverpool also added another young player named Will Wright, a striker from Salford City, and teenager Lucas Alford, a 14-year-old midfielder from Manchester City, who will feature in younger age groups initially.

Separately, Liverpool manager Arne Slot defended the club’s substantial summer transfer spending amid criticism from pundits. The club’s outlay reached £450 million with eight new players, including striker Alexander Isak, signed for a British record fee of £125 million. However, Slot emphasized that Liverpool recouped nearly £300 million in player sales, framing the spending as balanced business. Slot confirmed Isak is in the squad for an upcoming Champions League match against Atlético Madrid at Anfield and could feature, though he assured the striker will not play the full 90 minutes.