Nathaniel Clyne is still recovering from a muscle injury and will be out of the pre-season tour until we hit Germany, according to a report on the club’s official website.
The former Southampton defender did play in the second half of the 4-0 win over Tranmere last week and even captained the side. However, Clyne didn’t make the squad for the game against Wigan Athletic and young right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold deputized for the 26-year-old.
The Englishman was one of our most consistent players last season and was a mainstay for us, as we clinched 4th spot in the league. Keeping him fit will be key to our title chances this season and Clyne does have a battle on his hands for a place in the side.
That is due to the rise in the stature of Alexander-Arnold; something we saw when the youngster started in the Premier League game against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The 18-year-old did a fantastic job in that game, which was his first start in the Premier League, and looks set to provide some much needed competition to Clyne as our right-back.
Clyne didn’t start the game against Crystal Palace in the Premier League Asia Trophy game in Hong Kong and it seems unlikely that the Englishman would play any part in the tournament, even though he traveled with the side.
The Reds also have to play another game just a few days later, against Leicester City or West Brom on Saturday, before heading out to face Hertha Berlin on 29 July. We would also be taking part in the Audi Cup and will face Bayern Munich on 1st of August, and then either Atletico Madrid or Napoli the following day.
There was some good news, if you can call it that, as the club revealed that Alberto Moreno was also with the squad and even started in the game against Palace. The Spaniard is close to an exit from Anfield and this could be his last tour with us, as a number of clubs are interested in the former Sevilla left-back.
With Andrew Robertson also close to joining us (Independent), Moreno’s exit should be quick and that would be a sign of relief for most Liverpool fans.
The worry would be to get Clyne back to fitness and he should not be rushed, so as to not hamper his fitness when the season starts. There still is a month before the Premier League campaign begins and for now, things look good for us on the injury front, with Sadio Mane also joining full training soon.
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