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Liverpool have released three members of their under-23s squad as they close in on the signing of Chelsea youngster Isaac Christie-Davies.

The ECHO understands that Paulo Alves, Toni Gomes and Mich'el Parker will all part company with the Reds.

Portuguese midfielder Alves arrived at the Kirkby Academy in 2015 after spells with Porto and Sanjoanense in his homeland.

The 20-year-old was named on the bench by Jurgen Klopp for the FA Cup tie against Plymouth in January 2017 but hasn't kicked on since.

Gomes is also moving on after three years at the Academy. The 19-year-old Portugal youth international striker had a loan spell at Forest Green Rovers earlier this season.

Liverpool signed Parker from Arsenal in 2015 but the 19-year-old centre-back has found his opportunities limited this season. He made only one Premier 2 appearance in 2017/18.

Neil Critchley's under-23s squad is set to be bolstered by the arrival of Christie-Davies.

The Reds have made a contract offer to the 20-year-old midfielder, who had a trial at the Academy back in March.

Christie-Davies, whose deal at Chelsea ends this summer, spent nearly a decade with the Londoners after joining their youth ranks from Brighton.

He helped Chelsea win back-to-back FA Youth Cups in 2014/15 and 2015/16. He was also part of their UEFA Youth League winning side in 2016 before taking the step up to the under-23s.

(Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)

Christie-Davies will be following in the footsteps of Dominic Solanke, who left Chelsea for Liverpool last summer.

Yan Dhanda is set to sign for Swansea City after Liverpool opted not to make him a contract offer. The 19-year-old frontman has been granted a free transfer but the Reds have a 20% sell-on clause.

Winger Bobby Adekanye has also been linked with a move away from the Academy. However, the Dutch international still has a year remaining on his contract and is expected to stay put.

Last season the Reds were banned from signing Academy players from English clubs for two years after being found guilty of tapping up a schoolboy from Stoke City.

However, half of that punishment was suspended and since last month they have been free to bolster their ranks.

Liverpool Under-23s play their final game of the season when they face Ajax in a friendly in Amsterdam on Saturday.