Know Your Warriors Isaac Mabaya returns from injury

Innocent Kurira

WARRIORS prospect Isaac Mabaya last week played his first game in six months after featuring in the Liverpool Premier League 2 encounter against Everton Under-21.

Mabaya was introduced from the bench in the 65th minute and delivered a lively display at rightback.
It was the 20-year-old’s first appearance since limping off in the Reds U21’s 3-0 win over Manchester United Under-21 at Old Trafford in April.

Reacting to Mabaya’s return from injury, Liverpool U21s boss Barry Lewtas said, as cited by The Echo:
“It was really good to see Isaac back. Obviously he has been training for a while and it was important to try and get him back and give him some game minutes.

“He has been really working his socks off and was a real threat when he came on, he linked up well with Kieran. It’s great to have him back.”
Prior to his return over the weekend, Mabaya trained with the senior team for the first time under new coach Arne Slot ahead of the team’s clash against Chelsea.

Mabaya signed his first professional contract with Liverpool FC in September 2021.
He first attended the Academy at the age of six and broke into the Reds’ U18s side as an U16 player in 2020-21.

Mabaya, who can play in midfield or at right-back, featured for the senior team in pre-season during July 2022 when he was included in the squad for the Asia tour and training camp in Austria.
Injury limited his game time and progress in the 2022-23 campaign but he penned fresh terms with the club in the final weeks of that season.