Sheyi Ojo has been told to find more consistency to win back his place in the Millwall starting XI. The on-loan Liverpool winger has started just once since 30 October and manager Gary Rowett has called on the former England U21 international to make himself undroppable.
“Sheyi’s a player with such great potential both athletically and technically,” Rowett told News At Den. “I’m sure I’m probably sat here like Liverpool just wanting to see a tiny bit more consistent delivery of that.”
A false start at Liverpool
Since playing 11 times for the Reds in Jurgen Klopp’s first season in charge, Ojo has been on loan at seven different clubs.
There was once hope of him becoming a regular squad player for Liverpool. He forced his way into Klopp’s plans in early 2016, even scoring a curling effort in front of The Kop in the FA Cup against Exeter.
But given his contract ends in the summer, the chances of that are virtually none.
Talent doesn’t appear to be the issue for Ojo. Rather it seems to be displaying that talent on a regular basis.
“The next step for Sheyi is that consistency of delivering those performances. He’s capable of it, he’s a very talented young player,” Rowett continues.
“I think it’ll be down to (Ojo) to a certain degree how far he goes in the game because he’s got a little bit of everything.”
Those will be encouraging words for Ojo to hear from his manager. But, at 24, time is starting to run out for him to have a career at the top level.
What’s next for Ojo?
If his contract does run its course, there will be disappointment that Liverpool couldn’t recoup any of the £2m they spent to bring Ojo to Anfield as a 14-year-old. But the focus for now should be on helping the player bring his performances up to the level required.
You never know, deliver on the talent he obviously has in the second half of the season and Klopp might sit up and take notice.
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