Derby County should try to recruit a Liverpool player again following recent developments.
Derby County should try to recruit a Liverpool player again following recent developments.
The Rams sorely need midfield reinforcements after releasing key players and having few choices for the next Championship season.
Bobby Clark, a bright and enthusiastic young Liverpool player, might be a beneficial addition to Derby County’s rebuilding lineup.
With Klopp’s leaving and Clark’s likely reduced playing time, Derby may have an opportunity to sign the young midfielder on loan for the upcoming season.
After Derby County’s retained list was announced last Saturday, their midfield choices appear to be quite limited ahead of the 2024/25 Championship season, and the Rams should re-sign Liverpool’s Bobby Clark to aid with the reconstruction.
Last season, Paul Warne offered to accept Clark’s services. However, Jürgen Klopp opted to keep the young midfielder at Liverpool to help him grow further.
Despite this, Clark appeared in only five Premier League games and a few cup matches in 2023/24, spending the rest of the season with the U21s.
Derby have also been connected with Barnsley’s Herbie Kane, with Darren Robinson, Tyrese Fornah, and Liam Thompson the only Rams midfielders remaining under contract. It is also reported that the club intends to make Cardiff City’s Ebou Adams’ loan signing permanent in order to ensure survival in 2024/25.
Herbie Kane might be on the move.
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Bobby Clark is one of Liverpool’s most promising prospects.
Clark, 19, is one of the most intriguing prospects in Liverpool’s youth squads. He joined the Reds from Newcastle United in August 2021 for £1.5 million, and he signed his first professional contract with the club a year later.
In his debut season in the north-west, the son of former Newcastle and Fulham great Lee Clark helped the Reds reach the UEFA Youth League quarter-finals. He also scored 13 goals and provided five assists in 23 U18 Premier League North games, helping his team finish second in their half of the table.
Clark, an active, high-pressing player, shined against Sparta Prague in the UEFA Europa League in March, scoring the second goal in a 6-1 victory over the Czech champions at Anfield.
This performance was highly satisfying for Klopp, who had opted to keep Clark in his plans for the remainder of the season following a significant injury problem in Liverpool’s midfield. The German coach stated, “That was a great performance by Bobby. A terrific performance.
“A aim, indeed. But he set up whatever goal he wanted by winning the ball back up high in a tremendously high-pressure scenario – top, top, top. And then to manage a football game with all of the energy that he clearly still has is incredible.”
Clark’s season ended early due to a back issue, but he is anticipated to be completely recovered before preseason begins.
Derby County’s departure of Conor Hourihane and Korey Smith, as well as the return of Adams and Max Bird to their respective clubs, has left the Rams lacking in midfield depth.
Thompson, 22, is Warne’s most experienced midfielder signed for the next season. However, his tenure at Derby has been marred by injuries, forcing him to miss the most of the promotion season. The academy graduate will play an important part in the championship, but he will need talent around him to help the Rams survive.
Fornah, 24, joined the club last summer but has failed to establish himself in the team. A back ailment delayed his ability to make a significant impact on the field, with him recovering only before the conclusion of the season, and his underwhelming start in black and white may be a source of concern for management in the future.
Robinson, 19, has the least experience of the three, having only been on the bench in League One a few occasions last season. The Northern Ireland U21 is a player for the future, but he still needs a loan to obtain true first-team experience, and the Championship may not be the best division for his development right now.
Klopp’s departure might strengthen Derby’s prospects.
The Rams might gain from the former Borussia Dortmund manager’s departure having been rejected Clark in both the summer and January transfer windows last season.
The England U20 international impressed now-former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders even before being called up to the first team; nevertheless, their departures from the club may limit Clark’s playing opportunities in the future.
