Transfer Centre

Liverpool 'blocked Bobby Clark exit on deadline day'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 02 September 2023

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp reportedly blocked a loan exit for 18-year-old midfielder Bobby Clark on deadline day amid interest from Derby County.

Liverpool reportedly blocked teenage midfielder Bobby Clark from leaving the club on transfer deadline day.

The 18-year-old has already made two senior appearances for the Reds since joining from Newcastle United's academy in 2021, debuting off the bench in last year's 9-0 demolition of Bournemouth.

Clark then made his first start for Jurgen Klopp's side in an EFL Cup third-round tie against Derby County, alongside registering two goals and two assists in 22 games in the Premier League 2.

Having been involved for the Reds in pre-season, Clark made a statement of intent during the Under-21s Premier League 2 opener against Everton, scoring once and setting up two more goals in a 4-0 win.

The teenager then travelled with the first-team squad for last weekend's dramatic 2-1 win over Newcastle United, and he was tipped to leave on loan before Friday's 11pm deadline.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp pictured on August 27, 2023 © Reuters

According to Football Insider, a plethora of clubs showed an interest in taking Clark on a temporary basis for the 2023-24 season, with Derby one of several teams eyeing a move.

However, Klopp supposedly blocked a loan exit for Clark on Friday, as the Reds boss plans to integrate the England Under-18 international into his first-team squad during the current campaign.

With Liverpool soon to kick off their bids for glory in the Europa League, FA Cup and EFL Cup, Klopp intends to offer Clark some minutes as he rotates his squad over the autumn and winter months.

The Reds have undergone a complete midfield overhaul since the end of last season, shipping out former stalwarts Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia.

Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner also left upon the expirations of their contracts, while Leighton Clarkson moved to Aberdeen on a permanent basis, and Tyler Morton has joined Hull City on loan.

Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch reacts on May 20, 2023 © Reuters

As such, Liverpool's only four senior acquisitions this summer came in the engine room, as Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister touched down at Anfield.

The Reds completed a £34.2m deal for Gravenberch in the final hours of deadline day, signing the Dutchman from Bayern Munich on a five-year deal until the summer of 2028.

Gravenberch joined Klopp's side despite Bayern's failure to sign Fulham's Joao Palhinha, whose move to the Allianz Arena fell through after the Cottagers failed to sign their own replacement.

Klopp hailed the 21-year-old as a "super-talented" player, but he is not expected to make his debut for the Reds in their next Premier League game at home to Aston Villa on Sunday.