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Jurgen Klopp promotes 16-year-old academy ace Ki-Jana Hoever to Liverpool first team to solve injury crisis

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Liverpool have promoted 16-year-old defender Ki-Jana Hoever to the first team after impressing club staff.

The Dutch star – who is equally adept at right-back or centre-back – arrived from Ajax in August, with the Reds beating off competition from Manchester United, Manchester United and Chelsea in order to lure him to Anfield.

While hes a highly-rated youngster, it wasnt expected that Hoever would be involved in the first team at this early stage in his young career but Jurgen Klopps side face a defensive injury crisis and he invited the Dutchman to join first team training.

Klopp took a look at the youngster in training (Picture: Getty)

Its believed that Klopp was impressed with the teenager, according to the Daily Mail, who is dominant in the air and comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Whether he will be involved in Liverpools matchday squad against Wolverhampton Wanderers remains to be seen, but Klopps hand may be forced given the wave of injuries to his senior defenders.

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Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold have all been struggling, while Nathaniel Clynes fitness remains a doubt in the hectic Christmas period after a long lay-off.