DETAILS have emerged of a secret trialist at Wanderers earlier this season.

Liverpool defensive midfielder Liam Coyle is understood to have trained with Bolton earlier this year with a view to a possible permanent move.

The 21-year-old has captained Liverpool’s Under-18s team and been in the Anfield youth ranks since the age of 10.

He primarily plays as a central midfielder but can also fill-in as a centre-half or a right-back.

Liverpool’s official website lists Coyle as a “renowned tough tackler who patrols the area in front of the back four, breaking up play and setting up counter-attacks.”

His links with Wanderers have only recently emerged after online EFL registration documents listed his name as a ‘contracted’ Under-21 player with the club.

Coyle is understood to have had a brief spell at Lostock but did not train with the first team group and has since returned to his parent club.

The youngster, who has also featured in Northern Ireland squads at Under-21 level, signed a contract extension with the Reds in June 2020.

The Bolton News:

While the chances of a deal for Coyle look unlikely for now, Wanderers are unquestionably looking to bolster their squad next season, with the return of a second string team.

Ian Evatt ideally wants a ‘shadow squad’ of developmental players to provide options in every position but is not sure yet in which form the team will take.

“It’s absolutely something we are looking into,” he said last month. “Whether it’s an Under-23s, a B Team or a Reserves, or whatever, it is certainly something I am looking into for next year.”

Wanderers dispensed with the Under-23s at the end of last season, leaving them without ‘reserve team’ football for the first time in 100 years.

The move, coupled with restrictions which have accompanied the pandemic, has made it difficult to arrange and travel for friendly games to keep non-first team players match fit.