Player News: Liverpool defender temporarily returns from loan spell due to injury

James Balagizi temporarily returns to Liverpool to undergo tests on a suspected injury

Liverpool’s 19-year-old midfielder James Balagizi, who was out on loan at Crawley Town earlier in the summer as per the club’s official website, is back in Liverpool to undergo certain tests on a suspected injury.

The England U19 player featured for Crawley 11 times this season, scoring three goals and assisting one. The youngster made the loan switch to Crawley after signing a new contract with Liverpool.

On Friday after returning from international duty, he withdrew from training before Crawley’s League Two match with Stevenage. The Manchester-born midfielder was also part of Liverpool’s side that reached the FA Youth Cup final in 2020-21.

Although there is no news on the extent of the injury as of now, further tests will reveal the same. It is a big blow for Balagizi as he was having a successful loan spell until now.

Liverpool’s quickness to act on the situation and assess the injury with the World Class facility at the AXA Centre is something the management at Crawley would have not been able to do.

Even though Balagizi has not had any senior appearances for Liverpool, last season saw him on the bench in two fixtures. He was part of the squad that beat Shrewsbury Town 4-1 in the third round of the FA Cup. He also made an appearance on the bench against Norwich City in the EFL Cup game which the Reds eventually won 3-0.

However, with that being said, Balagizi has been a wonderful performer for the Liverpool Youth Teams. Hopefully, he recovers from the injury soon and comes back next season more polished and ready for first-team action, at least in the Cup Games.

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The last thing Liverpool would want on their books is one more injury-prone midfielder. Hence, it becomes crucial for Balagizi to remain injury free for as long as possible and work on his fitness to try and get some playing time for the first team come 2023.