Waddington, 24, started his career at Blackpool, coming through their youth system before making his first-team debut in 2014.

The Wigan-born midfielder joined Stoke City in 2015, and has also previously featured for Kilmarnock, Falkirk, Barrow AFC and Blyth Spartans.

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Daniel Atherton (pictured), 21, spent time with the Yellows last summer before landing a deal to play in America with USL side FC Malaga City.

The previous summer, he was part of Liverpool’s 28-man squad that went on tour to America, and Atherton even featured in a pre-season game as an outfield substitute after an injury prompted Jurgen Klopp to throw him in to the action – days before he made an appearance in goal in front of 25,000 fans in a friendly at Bradford.

Born in Haydock and a boyhood Liverpool fan, Atherton featured for Liverpool’s under-18 and under-23 sides, playing in the EFL Trophy as well as the UEFA Youth League.

He had a loan spell with NPL Division One West outfit Marine AFC back in 2020, which was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.