Liverpool have confirmed the departure of Bobby Duncan on their official website after the English striker agreed to make a switch to Fiorentina this summer. The Whiston-born prospect, who is the cousin of the former Liverpool captain and the Rangers manager Steven Gerrard, has sealed a move away from Anfield after joining the Reds from Manchester City last summer.
Duncan was in prolific goal-scoring form for the Liverpool Under-18 side after registering 23 goals and providing eight assists in 26 matches on all fronts last season. However, the English whizkid had fallen behind the likes of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi and Rhian Brewster in the Anfield pecking order. Duncan’s abrupt exit on deadline day has left a big hole in Liverpool’s Academy which Klopp might be forced to address when the transfer window reopens in January.
Here are three replacements for the Reds manager to consider during the winter transfer period.
Fiete Arp
The 18-year-old has already made 38 senior appearances for Hamburger SV, scoring four goals while creating two assists in all competitions. Arp has also represented Germany at various youth ranks and has the potential to play for his nation’s senior team someday.
The German striker will be an ideal replacement for Duncan as he is young, hungry and will enjoy working under Klopp’s tutelage at Merseyside.
Kasper Dolberg
The Danish striker is one of the most promising up-and-coming talents in the Dutch Eredivisie. The 21-year-old managed to establish himself as a regular starter for Ajax over the past few years. However, OGC Nice decided to sign him earlier this summer. Dolberg has an impressive goal-scoring record in the Dutch top-flight, having registered 33 goals and 11 assists in 78 appearances so far. He will be an excellent addition who will not only bolster Klopp’s attacking options at Merseyside but will also provide more competition for Origi and Brewster.
Lautaro Martínez
The 22-year-old might not be as young as Duncan or any of the other strikers on this list, but he is still a top-rated prospect in the Serie A. Martinez is currently plying his trade at Inter Milan where he is quickly becoming a fan-favourite after he scored one goal and created one assist in two top-flight appearances so far this season.
The Argentine prospect can be a potent goal-getter when he is playing with confidence on the field. He has all the skillset required to secure a regular starting berth in the Premier League someday.
