Liverpool’s ongoing departure of promising young players appears set to continue with the anticipated sale of 20-year-old Harvey Blair, who made a strong impression during pre-season.
Blair emerged as one of the unexpected stars among Liverpool’s youth players this summer, featuring in four pre-season friendlies under new head coach Arne Slot. Despite his promising performances, Blair has since returned to the U21 squad, missing out on the 3-1 victory over Manchester City this past Saturday.
His absence from that match at the AXA Training Centre is believed to be linked to a potential transfer. Liverpool journalist David Lynch reported on his Substack that the club is open to selling Blair, noting that they “would not stand in his way should an acceptable offer arrive.”
Several clubs, including Blackpool, Burton Albion, Leyton Orient, Aberdeen, and Kilmarnock, have previously shown interest in Blair. Additionally, there has been speculation about interest from teams in Denmark and Belgium.
Blair’s chances of breaking into Liverpool’s first-team this season were slim, given the competition in Slot’s attacking lineup. With his 21st birthday approaching next month, Blair is at a critical juncture in his career as he considers his next steps into senior football.
Past loan spells have been marred by injuries, and another season with Barry Lewtas’ U21s would likely be seen as a setback in his development.
Liverpool’s decision to sell Blair is part of a broader effort to trim their academy ranks, a move that has been met with some discontent among fans. Bobby Clark is set to undergo a medical in Austria ahead of a £10 million transfer to Salzburg, and the club is also open to permanent offers for Ben Doak.
Tyler Morton is another player who is expected to depart, while Stefan Bajcetic, Kaide Gordon, Owen Beck, Calum Scanlon, James McConnell, and Marcelo Pitaluga are available for loan moves.
Currently, Liverpool has five players out on loan: Luke Chambers and Calvin Ramsay at Wigan, Lewis Koumas with Stoke, Luca Stephenson at Dundee United, and Fabian Mrozek with Swedish club IF Brommapojkarna.
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