Young Liverpool striker Bobby Clark has continued to train with the first-team ahead of Monday’s game with Manchester United.
The 17-year-old was named on the bench for the first time for Liverpool’s match with Crystal Palace last week.
And with Darwin Nunez now suspended, he was again pictured training with the first-team. Clark could be in with a shout of being amongst the substitutes at Old Trafford.
Nunez’s red card has meant that Liverpool are a little short in the forward department. Diogo is Jota still injured and Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino no longer at the club. As a result, Clark is Jurgen Klopp’s next option.
Clark shoots up the pecking order at Liverpool
This bit of news potentially means two things. Firstly, that Liverpool have an exiting prospect on their hands in Clark. Having joined from the Newcastle United academy last year, he scored 13 goals during 2021/22.
His tenacity and versatility across the forward line led to a call-up to the pre-season tour of Asia this summer. There, he clearly impressed Klopp enough to keep him in-and-around the first-team set-up.
It’s early days in the teenager’s career, but he’ll have pressure to follow in his Dad Lee Clark’s footsteps. Should the right pieces fall into place for him, he could well get a first-team debut this season.
Secondly, it really does highlight Liverpool’s lack of depth in forward areas at the moment.
Injuries have played a part, but from a sheer numbers point of view, Liverpool are down on last season. Whereas last year Minamino and Origi guided The Reds through the early rounds of the domestic cups, both are now gone.
Sadio Mane also departed, meaning that Klopp lost three senior options up-front.
Nunez and Fabio Carvalho have been brought in, although the latter has played some football in midfield, too.
That’s three out and two in. Add in Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota’s injury issues and Liverpool are down to the bare bones. Despite that, there won’t be any more additions during the transfer window. That could be good news for Clark as he looks to establish himself.
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