:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68992846/1231576749.0.jpg)
It appears the injury bug that has hit the Liverpool FC team this season in a vicious manner has found its way to the youth teams. The latest victim of the unfortunate injury crisis was Layton Stewart.
The young Scouser had been having an impressive season. He had scored 17 goals between competitions for both the U18 and U23 squads before having to be stretchered off against West Ham United last Saturday. The club have confirmed that the striker has suffered an ACL tear. It is a huge blow for the 18 year old, who had made the jump from the U-18s to the U23s around Christmas. U23 manager Barry Lewtas gave an update on Stewart’s status.
“I know how strong Layton is as well,” said Lewtas. “He will work as hard as he can to get back to full fitness as soon as he can, but there will be no timescale put on that. We will just give him all the support he needs.”
For Stewart, the injury comes at difficult time during his development. As seen with players like Rhian Brewster and Paul Glatzel, these injuries can cause significant impacts to player development.
“Layton has been working so hard on the training field as well, so this is a setback for him and a real shame,” said Lewtas.
“Layton has also had some fantastic messages from the likes of Sir Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard, which is absolutely unbelievable, and you expect nothing less from people like that.”
It’s pretty great to see some of the club legends reaching out to the youngster at such a difficult time.
“I know what he’s feeling,” said Robbie Fowler in an interview with The Athletic. “I told him, ‘Look, these things will happen for certain players but it will make you stronger so keep your head up. There’s going to be months of hard work ahead of you but you have got this!’.”