Liverpool academy setback: Joshua Abe suffers dislocated shoulder
The 16-year-old forward, who recently extended his contract, is wearing a sling as a precaution following an injury confirmed by under-21 coach Rob Page.
Liverpool’s long-term plans for the right wing have taken a temporary hit after 16-year-old forward Joshua Abe sustained a dislocated shoulder. Under-21 coach Rob Page confirmed the injury following a draw with Everton on Friday night, noting that the young talent is currently wearing a sling as a precaution.
Page described the incident as the shoulder "popping out and popping back in again." While the coach suggested the issue was "nothing major," he acknowledged that Abe has experienced similar problems previously. The club’s immediate response is to "wait and see what happens" regarding the player’s recovery timeline.
The timing of the injury is significant for Liverpool’s squad structure. With Mohamed Salah having departed the club after terminating his contract one year early, a gap has emerged on the right side of the attack. Although deals are currently alive for Bradley Barcola and Yankuba Minteh to fill the role, Abe had been positioned as a key internal contender for the position.
Abe, a left-footed right-winger, recently signed a new contract with Liverpool over the summer, having fended off interest from Manchester City. He was brought on tour to the United States with the first team and called up to train under manager Arne Slot, indicating a clear pathway toward senior appearances this season.
This setback follows a bad leg injury Abe suffered on international duty for England towards the end of the previous season. The club will now monitor his progress as he works to return to full fitness, with the long-term solution for the right-wing role remaining undecided.
