Liverpool fans were left stunned and upset when news broke that the Reds had agreed to offload Fabio Carvalho to Brentford. But it could be just the tip of the iceberg as more young talents are rumored to be on their way out.
Red Bull Salzburg are still in the race for Bobby Clark, with ex-Reds assistant manager Pep Lijnders keen to link up again with the youngster after his impressive debut season at Liverpool last year.
However, the Austrian side's latest offer falls short of Liverpool's valuation, who are holding out for a minimum of $13m (£10m/€12m).
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In other news, Ben Doak could also be on his way out permanently, following reports that he was on the loan radar of Leicester City and Southampton during Liverpool's pre-season tour of the US.
If both players do leave, Liverpool will undoubtedly make a tidy profit on the figure they shelled out to bring them in from Newcastle United and Celtic in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
But with Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley making their mark in the first team, Clark and Doak were seen as two of the brightest prospects in the Liverpool academy and the most likely to make the step up next.
The harsh reality of football hit home for the pair, who despite signing new long-term deals with Liverpool in December and the previous September respectively, are now facing the prospect of permanent departures from the club.
It's a stark reminder that even at elite clubs like Liverpool, the journey from promising talent to first-team regular is fraught with challenges. Jurgen Klopp , in one of his final interviews as Liverpool manager back in May, acknowledged this tough aspect of the game.
"You always can [improve] but the basis is absolutely great," Klopp remarked about the squad he was leaving. "Look at the age of the midfield, really top.
"Stefan Bajcetic is back, that's really cool. A centre-half if you have to buy him, you have to go really deep into the pockets. A right-back, if you need to buy one, you have to go really deep into your pockets.
"Stefan, if you want to have a player like that, it's really expensive. Up front, Jayden Danns, Lewis Koumas, Bobby Clark, James McConnell, they all did really well. That is the future of the club.
“The future doesn’t look that bad. Maybe the people don’t forget it in the moment that when the transfer window opens, a couple of promising players already here. Don’t close the door for them with 12 signings or whatever."
Back in February, Clark was one of the celebrated 'Klopp's kids', proudly displaying the League Cup at Wembley after coming on as a substitute to help Liverpool triumph over Chelsea. If it hadn't been for a season-ending knee injury, Doak would have also been part of the matchday squad, given the Reds' lengthy list of absentees.
Clark's first goal and full Premier League debut came in March, and it seemed like he was set to become a permanent fixture in the first team. However, a back injury cut his season short and has prevented him from making an impression on Arne Slot during pre-season.
On the other hand, Doak recovered from his knee injury in time for pre-season, despite having to sit out Euro 2024 due to the same problem. He started Liverpool's first friendly against Preston North End behind closed doors, and again versus Las Palmas at Anfield on Sunday.
In reality, against the La Liga side, he was the standout player in a rotated XI. He looked dangerous on both wings and was unlucky not to score. His performance could easily be seen as that of a player eager to prove his worth amid rumours of a potential permanent departure.
However, it was more of the same for Doak, who made his senior debut for the club less than two years ago at just 16. He's electrifying with the ball and can easily outmaneuver opponents, but the desired end product is still missing.
Mohamed Salah , the Reds' star player, is ahead of him in the pecking order. The club wouldn't expect Doak to fill Salah's boots on the rare occasions he's not playing. If Salah departs when his contract expires next summer, Liverpool will likely sign a high-profile replacement rather than rely on a teenager.
In the midfield, where Clark is trying to make his mark, Liverpool invested in Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai , Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch last summer.
This level of recruitment always poses a challenge for upcoming players hoping to make their mark. With Liverpool back in the Champions League , opportunities at Anfield are likely to be limited, barring injuries.
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