Liverpool suddenly seem determined sell their young players are the result of various factors, rather than the instruction from the new manager Arne Slot, 90 min you understand.
Fans have expressed concern on social media as Liverpool continue to entertain the departure of a number of young talents.
Fabio Carvalho left Brentford in a deal worth up to £27.5m, while the likes of Ben Doak, Bobby Clark and Sepp van den Berg all face uncertain futures at Anfield in the final weeks of the summer transfer window.
Youngsters have played a big role in Liverpool’s 2023/24 campaign, including their victory over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final, but sources have confirmed 90 min that such a level of exposure was not planned for their school talents and was too much forced upon them by injury.
Liverpool’s decision-makers have long been evaluating those trying to break into the big club and, with the help of the new officials in place at Anfield, they came to the conclusion that some kind of clarification was needed.
Among those who are still waiting for a final decision on their future, we can count Doak, who is a seasoned player due to an injury last season. While Liverpool and new boss Slot are still monitoring the 18-year-old, he could go on loan or leave permanently for the right price. Leicester City, Southampton and Al Nassr are all interested.
Slot also wants to look at 19-year-old midfielder Bobby Clark, like Doak, who is now back from injury. Red Bull Salzburg, now led by Jurgen Klopp who was Pep Lijnders’ assistant, saw an £8m bid rejected but talks over a sale are ongoing.
Liverpool’s hand was somewhat forced in Carvalho’s case. The 21-year-old midfielder caught Slot’s eye in pre-season and impressed Liverpool officials on loan at Hull City last year, but Carvalho has made it clear this summer that he wants a more important role this season and the Reds should take his feelings into account.
Similarly, defender Van den Berg has publicly admitted his desire to leave Liverpool this summer due to concerns about his path to the first team. The Dutchman has played plenty of minutes in pre-season but still has interest from across Europe and could be sold after entering the final two years of his contract. Liverpool value Van den Berg for around £20m.
Liverpool had not planned for such a spotlight on their young talent and have been working behind the scenes to try and improve their academy, including a deal to sign 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea.
The door to the first team is still open for top players at Liverpool’s academy, such as 17-year-old midfielder Trey Nyoni.
Having made his debut last season under Klopp, the youngster has also impressed for Slot this summer and the decision has been made to keep Nyoni around for the upcoming campaign, where he is expected to see top minutes.
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