Liverpool are expected to sanction the midfielder’s withdrawal from the Preston v Liverpool FC friendly

Liverpool’s warm-up friendly against Preston at the AXA Training Center was eye-opening for those players not involved, including 21-year-old Dominic Corness.

The Reds stepped up their pre-season preparations with a behind-closed-doors clash with Preston on Friday, which, despite being beaten 1-0, was seen as a productive exercise.

Arne Slot used 25 players throughout, most of whom clocked their first 45 minutes on the pitch, including a number of academy youngsters.

• READ: 25 Liverpool players take part in Arne Slot’s first pre-season friendly

There was a lot to take away from the meeting with the championship team, not least those who were absent from the squad.

Midfielder Corness started pre-season as part of the senior ranks but has since dropped out and is believed to have returned to training with the U21s.

Having spent the season on loan with Swiss side Yverdon-Sport last time out, there is little chance of him staying with the academy side for the upcoming campaign.

Instead, the Reds should realistically sanction another move for a player who turned 21 in May, with Liverpool EchoIan Doyle explains that this is “likely to be borrowed”.

No club is yet interested in Corness, although Yverdon-Sport are unlikely to have been the only side chasing him last summer.

A move closer to home in the Football League could prove the next step, following in the footsteps of the likes of Conor Bradley, Tyler Morton and Jarell Quansah.

Talking to Liverpool Echo in April, Corness reflected on his spell in Switzerland and set his plans for the summer ahead.

“I’ve developed as a player, I think, as I’ve been here. Hopefully, by the time I come back, I will continue to develop,” he explained.

“For the rest of the season, the aim is just to try to play as many games as possible.

“Then finish the season and then come back to Liverpool in as good shape as possible and try to impress whoever the new manager is or look at whatever comes my way.”

Corness played 21 times for Yverdon-Sport in his first season in senior football but saw his campaign ended early due to injury.

He is still eligible as a minor player for Liverpool but faces an uncertain future with the likes of Tom Hill, James Norris, Rhys Williams and Billy Koumetio all in limbo between the academy and the first team.