Liverpool will give former Man City player debut says Jurgen Klopp

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 03: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool FC at the Etihad Stadium on January 3, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 03: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool FC at the Etihad Stadium on January 3, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Liverpool will hand a first team debut to former Man City player Bobby Duncan in their first pre-season games according to Jurgen Klopp.

Get ready, the kids are coming! Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed today that they will lean heavily on youngsters to fill the squad for early pre-season games and that will include handing out a debut to Bobby Duncan.

Speaking to the press ahead of tomorrow’s opening pre-season game with Tranmere Rovers the boss said:

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“A lot of them will be part of the US tour, we have to use that because of the number of games we play… Bobby Duncan and Paul Glatzel: our offensive line that played last year is coming pretty late in joining us in the pre-season.”

The expectation was that a number of the younger players would play at Prenton Park as the first team player return in dribs and drabs. However Klopp also stated Duncan would be involved on the USA tour next week:

“Not only at Tranmere or whatever, but in America as well when we play Borussia Dortmund.”

It’s an incredible opportunity for Bobby Duncan – who is the cousin of Liverpool legend and current Glasgow Rangers boss Steven Gerrard – to impress Klopp who is always keen to develop young players and include them in the first team.

The 18-year-old made the move down the M62 last summer and instantly established himself as a star in the Under-18 side. He grabbed 18 goals and 6 assists at the top youth level plus a further two goals in the UEFA youth league.

His partnership with fellow striker Paul Glatzel helped power the young side to the FA youth cup; Duncan led the way with 5 goals and 2 assists in that competition to help the Reds beat his former Manchester City teammates.

Initial pre-season games aren’t much fun for fans as many of the stars are missing and players are focussed on fitness but seeing Duncan, Glatzel and the other young players prove themselves makes it that bit more interesting. Up the young Reds!