Liverpool’s incredible unbeaten run have earned them a comfortable lead at the top of the Premier League standings. The Reds have formed a strong squad with proper backups, but they might still seek a move for Bristol City youngster Lloyd Kelly, as reported by Simon Jones for The Mail on Sunday.
The 20-year-old left fullback has progressed through the youth ranks of the Robins before making his senior debut earlier last season in an EFL Cup tie against Plymouth Argyle. Kelly soon caught the eyes of many with his mature defensive attributes and secured a starting role this season under manager Lee Johnson following the transfer of Joe Bryan who joined Premier League new boys Fulham back in the summer for a reported fee of around £6m.
The Reds, meanwhile, are set to part ways with Alberto Moreno upon expiration of his contract at the end of the ongoing term. The Spaniard was in fine form last season but lost his place to Andrew Robertson following an injury woe. The latter proved to be a revelation down the left flank leaving little hope for Moreno to revive his Liverpool career.
“I disliked Klopp’s decision because I was training but when I returned he only wanted Robertson. I disliked the way that Klopp has treated me but I understand his situation that he can’t change [Robertson] because the team is winning.”
The 26-year-old slammed Jurgen Klopp in a recent interview with Ondacero which implies his days are numbered at Anfield.
Moreno completed a high-profile switch from Sevilla back in summer 2014 but failed to convince the German gaffer following a series of costly errors. His exit is inevitable but a replacement is required as Robertson’s understudy.
Although the Reds have highly-rated Adam Lewis in their academy ranks, the England youth international now holds enough senior experience and is hailed as one of the brightest prospects outside of the top tier. At 6ft 3in, Kelly has adjusted to the physicality and challenges of the Championship football and is tipped to flourish under Klopp considering his talent and rapid progress with the Robins. Johnson, the Bristol boss, rates the youngster highly and believes ‘he’ll end up a center-half’ as quoted in August.
The Reds have quite a similar story with Joe Gomez who is now a first-team regular, and the addition of Kelly would hand them the comfort of having a left-footed centre-back which they lack following the egress of Ragnar Klavan. Klopp is lauded for promoting youth and must sanction a move to groom the starlet before being hijacked by the league counterparts.
