Liverpool have rejected a loan offer from Celtic for Harry Wilson, as Jurgen Klopp prepares to assess his role during their nine pre-season friendlies.
The Reds take on Chester, Tranmere, Bury, Blackburn, Borussia Dortmund, Man City, Man United, Napoli and Torino in a busy summer schedule, and Klopp will require a healthy squad.
With Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah among those absent in the first weeks of pre-season after the World Cup, Wilson could even start at Deva Stadium on Saturday.
Speaking on his return to Melwood, the 21-year-old outlined his ambition to push for a first-team place, but his future remains uncertain.
However, the Liverpool Echo report that Liverpool have already turned down Brendan Rodgers’ attempts to lure Wilson to Celtic Park.
This is due to their reservations over the use of loan players at the Glasgow club, with both Patrick Roberts and Charly Musonda struggling for game time last season.
There is no indication that Wilson would fare any better in Scotland, despite his excellent performances for Hull City in the second half of 2017/18.
However, Liverpool could still sanction another temporary move to the Championship, with Hull joined by newly relegated Swansea City, West Brom and Stoke City among those to have enquired.
Aston Villa, Leeds United, Derby County, Middlesbrough, Norwich City, Preston North End, QPR and Reading have also contacted the Reds over a possible deal.
For now, however, Klopp will oversee Wilson’s progress in pre-season, with James Pearce claiming the manager “sees a massive future” for the youngster on Merseyside.
Liverpool are in the market for another winger this summer, with Stoke’s Xherdan Shaqiri and Gent’s Moses Simon among those being considered.
But with Wilson already in the ranks, Klopp could be better advised to keep faith in the club’s academy, as the Wales international would provide great cover for both Mane and Salah.
He has previously expressed a desire to do so, telling Goal in May that “I’d like to make myself that backup player for them, or that replacement if they have a knock or whatever.”
“It sounds like a big aim, but why not?” he added. “I want to play for Liverpool in the Premier League on a regular basis, I will never deny that.”
Wilson scored seven goals in 14 games for Hull last term, assisting a further four, and it would be interesting to see whether he can replicate this form under Klopp at Anfield.
Fan Comments