Liverpool youngster Bobby Clark was spotted training with the first team ahead of their clash with Nottingham Forest this weekend.
Clark has been in and out of the senior set-up this season, making two appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side. But with the team performing poorly, he hasn’t been seen for a little while.
According to the Liverpool Echo though, he was out at the AXA Training Centre for training yesterday. So too was Ben Doak, another exciting prospect who’s involvement seems to have waned of late. Show them what you can do, lads!
Clark brought back into the fold
What a learning curve this season will have been for both Clark and Doak. Initially involved with the U18s, both have risen up to make a big impression with Klopp.
Had Liverpool been playing better, the two teenagers might, ironically, have spent even more time with the first team. But with the Reds struggling, perhaps Jurgen preferred to work more intently with his senior stars. It’s hard to blood youngsters in that kind of environment.
Clearly though, the boss rates Clark very highly indeed. He’s already spoken of how good he thinks the 18-year-old can be and obviously wants to get him involved.
U21s coach Barry Lewtas is another to have heavily praised Clark. It was only yesterday that Lewtas was proclaiming how excited he is over the former Newcastle United youngster’s potential.
With almost a full complement of midfielders now available to Klopp, it feels unlikely that Clark will get any minutes for the rest of the season. As Liverpool plot to bring in a number of new options this summer perhaps his chances for next season are set to fade, too.
But if there’s one thing Klopp does, it’s give young players he believes in a real shot. Should Clark – and Doak – impress him sufficiently in training and pre-season, he’ll give them the opportunities they need. Beyond that, it’s up to them to prove they should be given more.
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