Martin King explains that the 2018/19 season should be a season of resurgence for Nathaniel Clyne after the Englishman struggled with injury last season.
When asked, in a recent interview conducted by Soccer AM, which Liverpool player carried the most fines, Nathaniel Clyne answered that it was probably himself, further going on to reveal that behind the scenes, he often gets penalized for “silly things; having your phone out at dinner time or things like coming late.”
He added: “I’m always like last out on the pitch sometimes.”
Back on centre-stage, however, Liverpool have been putting on a great show and it all starts again on August 12, when the Reds host West Ham United at Anfield. Indeed, the 2018/19 season represents a meal that Clyne cannot afford to be silly and arrive late for.
Injury woes and the rise of a local star
Joining Liverpool from Southampton in 2015 for £12.5 million, Clyne immediately took the role of the Reds’ first choice right-back, going on to make 33 Premier League appearances for a side that would be soon taken over by Jürgen Klopp.
The following season, Clyne continued to be one of the boss’ first names on the team sheet, as Liverpool sealed a return to the UEFA Champions League. The Englishman played in all but one of his team’s games in the 2016/17 league season, earning the nickname ‘Mr. Reliable’ among the Anfield faithful.
Last season, however, would start in dreadful circumstances, as Clyne suffered a back injury that was initially expected to rule him out until February this year, but he only made his first start of the season in April against Everton, going on to feature in just four more games that season, all from the substitutes bench.
His star had seemingly waned; there was little talk of him as Liverpool’s top right-back, instead there was a new kid on the block.
Up stepped Trent Alexander-Arnold, who took Clyne’s place on the right-side of Klopp’s defence. The youngster, though inexperienced, earned the manager’s faith thanks to several impressive performances in Liverpool’s youth teams and although that alone can never guarantee first team success, the scouser proved he has what it takes to succeed in the big leagues.
Between scoring a stunning first Liverpool goal in Europe and being called up to represent England at the FIFA World Cup, the 19-year-old displayed an ability to attack at will with a good technical ability and a defensive awareness that, though decent enough, can still be improved.
His passion for the game, coupled with an evident grittiness is loyal to his scouse origins and it is something that has particularly placed him well in the hearts of the local supporters, who are confident he will keep on growing in Klopp’s team next season.
What about Clyne then?
The onus falls on the shoulders of the former Southampton man to challenge Alexander-Arnold for the status of first choice right-back at Liverpool.
To achieve that, Clyne has to ensure that this upcoming season is one of personal resurgence. The time he spent on the sidelines injured was a definite set-back and even he would’ve felt a feeling of longing as the Reds ran riot in Europe to make it to the final of the Champions League.
As his side begins a new campaign competing on all four fronts once again, there are plenty of games to played and Clyne will be wise to remember that it isn’t just him against Alexander-Arnold for a place in the best competitions, but Joe Gomez – who is also looking to put his injury troubles behind him – meaning that competition will be tough.
Injuries affect every football player’s form but it is only the best that overcome them and bounce-back to continue performing at their best level.
A stroke of good luck will obviously come useful in these cases, so Clyne will be eager to find that in order to rediscover the form that made him one of England’s top fullbacks.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
