Jurgen Klopp has declared one of Liverpool’s young starlets as being ‘ready’ for the first-team.
Klopp has been fantastic at giving youngsters opportunities throughout his spell at Liverpool so far. But this season, that has arguably scaled new heights.
Jarell Quansah has been the standout name, surprisingly breaking into the senior side with consummate ease. With 16 appearances already to his name, Quansah is a superstar in the making.
What about Conor Bradley. The right-back would have probably played the same amount as Quansah, but injuries have restricted him to just seven games. Nevertheless, the 20-year-old has created no less excitement.
And then there’s Bobby Clark. At 18, Clark is comfortably the youngest of this trio. But having made another cameo for Liverpool in last night’s aggregate win over Fulham, he’s obviously a player Klopp likes. And speaking in his pre-Norwich City press conference this afternoon, the Reds manager admitted as much.
“Bobby Clark, it’s so nice to bring him on now,” gushed Klopp. “Everybody sees he is ready. That’s now the next step for him. Was he ready half a year ago? I don’t know, but now he is. Now we can bring him on and he can fill the role and make an impression and that’s really good.”
Klopp backs Clark for senior role
Just like Bradley, it’s likely that Clark may have featured more had he been fit all season. Instead, injury robbed him of the chance to play in the Europa League.
Since returning to fitness though, Klopp has been keeping Bobby in and around the first-team.
His appearance last night was cameo number three for the season for the midfielder. In terms of minutes, that has amounted to less than half an hour. But it’s something to build on.
Turning 19 at the beginning of February, Clark will now hope that he can kick on and pick up even more minutes as the season continues.
There had been some rumblings that the former Newcastle United prospect may head out on-loan this month. But given the glowing regard in which Klopp is talking about Clark here, that doesn’t look likely.
Instead, expect to see young Bobby cropping up on more and more squad lists.
Alexis Mac Allister is one who’s seemingly been impressed by the teenager. There is plenty of competition for places of course, but Clark looks to have the ability to make an impact.
His 15-minute spell from the bench against Arsenal three weeks ago suggested there’s a real player in there. We’re looking forward to watching his development in the weeks, months and years to come.
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