Sheyi Ojo may be the next young Liverpool star to head out on loan this January, according to U21s manager Michael Beale.
Ojo is one of the academy’s most promising talents, and could be set for a loan move this January to aid his development.
The Liverpool Echo claim: “[Liverpool] are considering whether to send rising star [Ojo] out on loan—with several clubs having already expressed an interest in taking the 17-year-old wide man.
“League Two title challengers Shrewsbury are believed to have expressed an interest but Liverpool under 21s manager Michael Beale says there has been plenty of calls from higher up the football pyramid too.”
U21s boss Beale confirmed: “You might be surprised, there’s a couple of clubs bigger than that interested in him. We’ve got to make sure it’s the right thing for Sheyi and if he goes out that he’s going to play.”
Ojo has impressed for the U21s and U19s this season, as well as featuring on first-team manager Brendan Rodgers’ substitutes’ bench at points.
However, Beale stressed that the club need to be patient with the versatile talent.
“[Because] Sheyi’s got so much promise we sometimes want something earlier than it’s able to come. We’ll keep supporting Sheyi, I’m sure he’ll get there.”
Developing well in Liverpool’s academy, a loan move could the next step in Ojo’s progress towards the first-team under Rodgers.
The manager recently highlighted a bright future for some of his young stars.
“We have some very good young players who over the next couple of years you will see more of…Alex Inglethorpe does a fantastic job at the Academy and in the next few years we will see the fruits of that.”
One of these players is 19-year-old winger Jordon Ibe, who was recently recalled from his loan spell with Championship title-contenders Derby County.
Ibe is now primed for a spot in Rodgers’ squad for the rest of the season, and his progress shows the benefits of a temporary move for the likes of Ojo.
Beale testified to this, continuing: “They come back better players, they come back more aware of what it takes, more aware of what a men’s dressing room is like.”
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Whether Shrewsbury or a higher-level club is the destination for Ojo this month, a loan move seems a provident one for both the player and Liverpool in moving forward.
Further reading: 5 Liverpool Players Who Would Benefit From a Loan Move This January, by Jack Lusby.
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