Leighton Clarkson’s outstanding form at Aberdeen will make him a ‘massive miss’ if the Liverpool owned midfielder returns to the Premier League giants during the summer transfer window.
Jurgen Klopp famously likened the Anfield academy graduate to Bayern Munich legend Philipp Lahm due to his supreme technical talents and his ability to thrive in a variety of roles. Two attributes which are likely to work in young Leighton Clarkson’s favour if the 21-year-old hopes to force his way into Liverpool’s first-team set up in 2023/24.
A series of masterful performances on loan at Aberdeen will also do Clarkson’s prospects no harm.
The former England U20 international might have missed out on Scotland’s Goal of the Season award – much to the chagrin of many – but he will at least have the Aberdeen Young Player of the Year gong to show for a quite brilliant stint at Pittodrie.
Finding a replacement, meanwhile, will be easier said than done.
Liverpool have a decision to make about Leighton Clarkson
“The creativity and game-changing vision Clarkson brings will be a massive miss. That level of skill and influence is hard to source for a replacement,” reporter Sean Wallace writes in his Press and Journal column.
“Clarkson is capable of a moment of magic. An inspirational spark of genius to turn matches.”
The Blackburn-born maestro has always had a reputation for being a tidy ball-player. But, on the other side of the border, he has added a more creative streak to his game. A tally of five often spectacular goals and nine assists testament to that.
And while Klopp is desperate to bring in at least one new midfielder during the summer window – Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Mason Mount among his top targets – the departures of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner – not to mention the prospect of Europa League football and the rotation opportunities that will provide – might just open the door for Clarkson to nail down a spot in the Reds roster.
Then again, if Klopp cannot find a place for him, there’s one club north of Hadrian’s Wall who will be ready to welcome Clarkson back with open arms…
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