Liverpool forward Dominic Solanke prepared to fight for game-time at Anfield

Liverpool forward Dominic Solanke is determined to knuckle down and fight for a place at Anfield despite being urged to go out and receive regular game-time elsewhere by Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce.

Solanke joined the Reds from Chelsea in the summer transfer window and has predictably found himself behind Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge in the pecking order on Merseyside. The 20-year-old has featured sporadically for Jurgen Klopp's side this season but has only started twice so far this season.

Solanke, who recently made his debut for England's senior side during the recent international break, is one of many young prospects stuck in a "ludicrous" situation according to Bruce, who wants big clubs to develop partnerships with smaller sides in order to help the development of British starlets, but the former Chelsea academy graduate is not as pessimistic as the Villa manager about his current state of affairs and is instead focusing on trying to impress Klopp at Melwood rather than considering a temporary move elsewhere.

"You've just got to keep working hard," Solanke told the Liverpool Echo. "Obviously at a big club like Liverpool there's always going to be great players and sometimes to get past them is hard but you've just got to keep working and play your part for the team.

"I think with football, it can go in all different ways and it can change very quickly as we've seen with many players. There could be injury or some injuries and you can go from a low spot to a high spot very quickly so however your opportunity comes you've just got to try to take it."

Solanke has seemingly decided against a loan away from Liverpool in January, while Reds' Under-23 manager Mark Critchley has urged goalkeeper Danny Ward to give Klopp "something to think about" between now and the end of the season.

Ward, who helped Huddersfield Town achieve promotion to the Premier League last season, has made just one start for the Reds so far this season - against Leicester in the League Cup - and has recently dropped down to Under-23 level in order get some minutes under his belt.

At 24, Wales international Ward may be considering a move in order to kickstart his career which began with Welsh outfit Wrexham - he was recently linked with a reunion with former international boss Chris Coleman at Sunderland - but Critchley does not think he should be too perturbed by his lack of minutes at Liverpool.

"I don't think his development as a goalkeeper is unusual for a young goalkeeper," Critchley told ESPN. "He's still young -- you've got to remember that.

"He's got competition at Melwood, but he'd expect to have that. Danny believes in himself and he's a fighter, so I'm sure he'll keep performing and training like he is to give the manager something to think about.

"He's brilliant. He's a big character, Danny -- a really good character. I think he's matured so much since I've known him. He's great for the younger defenders to play with -- he talks them through the game.