Liverpool have integrated 18-year-old defender Mor Talla Ndiaye into first-team training for the first time since his £1 million move from Senegalese side Amitie in January. The centre-back, who was sidelined by an injury discovered during his medical, joined Arne Slot's senior squad ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.
Ndiaye, originally a midfielder before transitioning to defence, has already made his debut for Liverpool's under-21s last month. The club sees him as a long-term prospect, with an eye on the eventual departure of club captain Virgil van Dijk, whose contract expires in 2027.
Meanwhile, Slot has praised 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni for his physical transformation during a lengthy injury layoff. Leoni, who joined from Parma last summer, tore his ACL in September and has been sidelined since. Speaking at a press conference, Slot said: 'If you look at Giovanni Leoni, I don’t know if you once in a while see some Instagram posts of the club, but this guy has become a beast!'
Leoni is expected to return to action towards the end of 2026, having used his time out to build upper body strength. His progress has excited fans, who hope he can make an impact next season.
