Former Golden Eaglets trainee Ovie Ejaria will represent the development squad of Liverpool, otherwise known as the U23s, in the 2016-2017 campaign, amid speculations that he is set to be promoted to the first team following his form in pre-season.

Due to the unavailability of a number of first team players who were on international duty during the summer, Ejaria has been training with the main squad but will have to return to the U23s before the start of the season.

“Our team will be probably be around the average age of 19,” Reds U23 manager Beale said to the Liverpool Echo.

“Ovie Ejaria, Trent Alexander, Ben Woodburn, they’ll come back and join this group. Jurgen can use the U23s as he sees fit.

“At the moment he’s using a lot of them with the first team and not so many seniors coming the other way and that’s great for us.”

England U19 international Sheyi Ojo may play for the U23 squad in the new season, the manager has revealed.

The 18-year-old Ejaria traveled with the first team to the United States for pre-season matches.

Igho Kingsley