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Jurgen Klopp has assured promising Liverpool forward Sheyi Ojo he will have an opportunity to cement a first team place - potentially saving the club millions in the January transfer market.

The 19-year-old completed his first 90 minutes of the season in the U23s’ 1-1 draw with West Brom on Tuesday, having only recently returned from a back injury sustained during pre-season.

The Reds boss has hinted that he may look to bring in reinforcements for his forward line in January, given the injuries to Danny Ings, Philippe Coutinho and the impending departure of Sadio Mane to the African Cup of Nations.

But Ojo revealed Klopp has told him he is in line for a chance in the first team once he has proven his match-fitness.

He told the ECHO: “[Klopp] has mentioned to me that he wants to give me an opportunity which is nice.

“I’m grateful for that because as a young player you don’t get many opportunities at a massive club like Liverpool.

“So I have to knuckle down, keep working hard and get as many minutes as I can with the reserves and try and prove to the manager that I’m ready. Hopefully I’ll get my opportunity soon.”

Ojo returned to training in November and made his first appearance for the Reds’ U23s side in their defeat at Leicester last week.

The 19-year-old said it was “amazing” to complete his first full game against West Brom and set up Cameron Brannagan for Liverpool’s equaliser 17 minutes from time.

And Ojo hopes to use his performance as a springboard to push for a first team place.

“I have being going through a tough time - being injured is the worst thing in a football career,” he said after a Show Racism the Red Card event at Anfield.

“I have had to battle on and grind through it and I played my first 90 minutes two days ago.

“It was nice and I’m feeling good - I’m feeling stronger every day in training and in matches and hopefully I can push on now.”

The draw at Prenton Park also marked the end of Michael Beale’s reign in charge of the U23s.

The former Chelsea coach is set to join Brazilian side Sao Paulo as assistant manager after a four-year stint on Merseyside.

Ojo paid tribute to a coach who has helped guide him through the ranks at Kirkby since his move from MK Dons in 2011.

“I only found out [he was leaving] a couple of days ago but he’s been massive for me,” he said.

“I worked with him at U16s, U17s, even U21s last season when I came back from Wolves on loan. I was playing a few games with the reserves and we’ve had a great relationship since I have known him.

“I wish him all the best. He’s a really good coach and hopefully he can achieve what he wants.”

A number of other young players under the tutelage of Beale have made the step up to the Liverpool first team.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ovie Ejaria and Ben Woodburn have all been handed their first team debuts by Jurgen Klopp this season.

Ojo, another academy graduate who made his senior debut against Exeter City in January, said it’s important for youngsters at Kirkby to see the likes of Ejaria and Alexander-Arnold making the most of their chance to play senior football.

“Obviously I know those two quite well through the academy and they are young talents and to be fair to them they have done well whenever they have been given their opportunity,” he said.

“I think that’s important for the academy [too]. There are younger kids who are looking up to players like us who have made that step up to the first team and I think it’s important that when you get your opportunity you take it.”

Ojo will have to force his way back into a Liverpool side on the up.

Despite last week’s defeat at Bournemouth, Liverpool are third in the Premier League and two matches away from the EFL Cup final.

But the 19-year-old believes he and his teammates possess the quality to ensure this season is a successful one.

“I feel like I have what it takes to play for Liverpool and now it is up to me to work hard and prove to the manager, to the fans, to everyone that I can do it,” he said.

“I believe in myself 100% and I know that if I keep my head down and I keep working hard I’ll be able to achieve what I want this season.

“The team are doing really well and picking up points [but] It’s important that we stay consistent and we don’t get too carried away with the results we’re getting at the moment. We need to keep working hard in training, listen to what the manager wants us to do and hopefully it’ll be a good season for us.”