Every player in Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool squad: Stay or sell?
By Tom Bogert
RB Nathaniel Clyne: STAY
Another easy decision: obviously Clyne stays. The fullback has been a stalwart of the back line, there’s no one at Liverpool Football Club I’d rather have defending in a one-on-one situation. He’s been a rock, putting a plausible claim that he could be the best in the league with Branislav Ivanović’s chasm in form. Séamus Coleman and Hector Bellerin may have something to say about that, but Clyne could be argued for.
Clyne has a quality about him that’s his best while being his worst: there’s not usually much to talk about.
Why it’s the best? This is exactly what you want out of a fullback. He goes unnoticed when he’s shutting down a winger. He doesn’t curl in beautiful crosses, but that’s fine because he’s adequate going forward. He doesn’t lose his concentration, he’s just a smart, rock-solid defender.
Why it’s the worst? I’ve been struggling to find words to fill my prose about Clyne. Why he’s so instrumental to Liverpool is obvious to me. Strictly using the eye test, I’ve already laid it all out.
Looking at stats, look no further than how many minutes he’s played for Liverpool this season, he’s one of the team’s most important players. Granted that’s buoyed by no senior option behind him, but even if Jon Flanagan had been fit all season, it’d be tough to see how many league games he’d displace Clyne in, if any.
Next: Jon Flanagan