Liverpool are standing against the option to let English defender Nathaniel Clyne to move out of Anfield in the coming January transfer window, with clubs like Crystal Palace and Fulham keen to secure his signature. The Mirror reports that there is high interest on the English defender from both the London clubs and a move out of Anfield was turning more and more inevitable for the 27-year old after falling out of favour under German tactician Jurgen Klopp. Some reports also suggest that Cardiff City are also in with the interest to sign the former Southampton right back and will look to battle it out with Fulham and Crystal Palace.
The 27-year old who is still nursing from his long-term injury will look to leave Merseyside once he is back in shape. However, the club could just look to keep him at Anfield holding him near the first team and Clyne can act as a backup for the young Trent Alexander-Arnold. The youngster has cemented his place in the first team and Klopp shows immense trust of the young Englishman to flourish under him. Although the German tactician is short on options in that area and hence Nathaniel Clyne could be kept at Anfield for longer.
Clyne has started once under Klopp this season in their 2-1 EFL cup defeat against Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea. The 27-year old has been sidelined since then and England international Trent Alexander-Arnold has made most of the opportunities he got and did not fail to impress his German boss with his matured performances.
The 27-year old right started his career at Crystal Palace being a pivotal figure for their back-line in the Championship. The defender then shifted his loyalties to Saint Mary’s as he joined the then newly promoted Premier League club, Southampton back in 2012. The defender became a fan favourite within months after his arrival. His impressive performances for the Saints also earned him a national team call back in 2014, where he appeared for the UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifiers. Clyne started in five of the last six qualifiers and made his debut in England’s 3-1 over Slovenia. The South London native soon became the first choice right back for the Three Lions.
Liverpool and especially then boss Brendan Rodgers was very impressed with the right back and The Reds are said to have paid £15.5m to sign the England international from Southampton in 2015.
Although tied up with consistent injury concerns and dip in form has seen Clyne fall off the radar and his future may well be away from Anfield but he still has a very important role to play for Jurgen Klopp and The Reds this season.
The season is gradually entering in its business end and teams now have to gear up to challenge for the title. The winter and the January month is a time of real test for teams to prove their mettle, with Klopp determined to win the league this season he cannot afford to risk players and lose them due to injury concerns during this phase. Hence he needs Clyne as back up to Alexander-Arnold and the 27-year may start in odds games as well keeping the fatigue off their first choice right-back.
Liverpool are currently in the second position in the league table with only two points behind League leaders Manchester City. The Reds are waiting to pouch on any opportunity they get to close the gap and hence they need proper squad depth to maintain the pressure against a dynamic side like Manchester City.
It might be the last season for Clyne at Liverpool but the Reds are giving one last opportunity to prove his mettle donning a Liverpool jersey.
