Bristol Rovers have confirmed the signing of Liverpool left-back Kris Owens next summer. The club has confirmed that they have sealed a move for the Reds youngster on a short-term deal and he will now be expected to feature for Rovers’ development squad.
Owens played for his boyhood club since the age of nine and featured for Queens Park Rangers on trial last April having been released by the Merseysiders. He also gave a trial at Bristol Rovers, featuring for their Under 23 side in a 2-1 victory over Cheltenham Town reserves. He put on an eye-catching display during that match and put in a number of good crosses from the left flank which impressed the Bristol Rovers chiefs to snap him up on a short-term deal.
The teenage prospect will now go straight into the club’s development squad and go head to head with their Milton Keynes Dons counterparts in a behind-closed-doors match on Tuesday, with the original match being postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Owens will look to play a big part for the remainder of the campaign as he looks to develop his game and fulfil his potential at the Memorial Stadium.
The Reds are currently sitting in the 4th position in the Premier League table after suffering a bitter 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester United on Saturday. Klopp’s team are just above Chelsea, who are in fifth place just four points behind the Merseysiders.
However, the five-time European champions are 18 points behind league leaders Manchester City. The departure of Owens won’t effect Jurgen Klopp’s plans too much going into the new campaign. The youngster desperately needs regular first-team to grow and develop his game which the Merseyside outfit are unable to provide right now. Both Andrew Robertson and Alberto Moreno are vying for a place in Jurgen Klopp’s starting eleven which makes it hard for Liverpool’s young prospects like Owens to break into their senior side.
Hence, a move out of Merseyside seems the best option for all parties as the player will now get a chance to grow and develop his game to reach his true potential. The 19-year-old has featured in 12 matches for the Reds Under 18 side this season and has an assist to his name. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Owens and whether he can fulfil his potential at Bristol Rovers.
