Former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has had a good start to life at RB Salzburg.
The Dutchman left the Reds following a hugely successful decade on Merseyside at the end of last season.
Lijnders is one of the best young coaches in Europe and looks set for an exciting career in management. Salzburg are his first port of call.
Since his summer move, the 41-year-old has already taken charge of two official games for the Austrians. Salzburg won 6-0 in the Austrian Cup before a 3-2 win over Grazer AK in their first game of the Bundesliga season.
Despite the good start, it seems as though Salzburg are still keen to add to their squad, though. And given his Anfield connections, it had always looked likely that Lijnders would try and raid Liverpool.
Pep Lijnders pushing to sign Bobby Clark
There is a chance that Liverpool could benefit from Lijnders going to Salzburg. The Reds have done business with the Austrian side before and they’re known as one of the talent factories of Europe.
The presence of their former assistant could also see Liverpool open up a loan pathway between the two clubs.
However, it looks as though Lijnders currently has little interest in taking players temporarily from his former club.
According to journalist Lewis Steele on X, the Dutchman is ‘pushing hard’ to secure a permanent transfer for Bobby Clark.
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Liverpool don’t want to lose Clark, but according to Steele, the Reds now have a ‘decision to make’ over the 19-year-old, as well as several other young players including Tyler Morton.
“LFC fly home from the US tonight with a number of decisions to make over young fringe players,” says the reporter.
“Pep Lijnders’ RB Salzburg pushing hard for Bobby Clark who also has lots of top-end Championship interest. Tyler Morton has suitors in Germany, PL and Italy.”
Liverpool set Bobby Clark asking-price
The news about Clark has continued on Saturday evening, with The Athletic reporting that Liverpool are in ‘no rush’ to make a decision over the former Newcastle prospect.
Arne Slot is said to want to take a look at Clark before making a call, with the midfielder having been injured for the tour of the USA. Clark is now back in training awaiting the Reds return.
It’s claimed that in order to grant a sale, Liverpool would be looking for at least £12m from Salzburg.
However, Lijnders and co are not the only ones interested. Leeds, Norwich, Coventry and Sheffield United are also reportedly in the mix, with a loan said to be more likely than a permanent exit.
As for Morton, it’s claimed that RB Leipzig and Atalanta are the clubs showing the most interest in the 21-year-old.
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