Nathaniel Clyne has continued to be linked with a move away from Liverpool in January, despite featuring in the last four Premier League games.
Clyne has struggled for consistent minutes since injury saw him lose his place to Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the return and rise of Joe Gomez also hampering his prospects.
But with Gomez currently sidelined and the 27-year-old back in training on a regular basis, he has been brought back into the first-team picture.
After starting and playing 90 minutes in the 3-1 win over Man United, Clyne has come off the substitutes’ bench in the following victories over Wolves, Newcastle and Arsenal.
The latter two saw him operate comfortably as a left-back, and with question marks over the future of Alberto Moreno it could be that he usurps the Spaniard to serve as Andy Robertson‘s backup.
But ahead of his fifth senior outing in all competitions on Saturday, the Mirror claimed he is “close” to leaving on loan in the winter transfer window.
This follows speculation from the end of November that Clyne could make the switch to Cardiff City in January, though it is added that both Leicester and Fulham are also interested.
Tom Hopkinson claims Cardiff “are confident of winning the race,” due to the full-back’s relationship with Neil Warnock and the likelihood he would “go straight into the starting lineup.”
“Jurgen Klopp is ready to let him go out on loan to get regular first-team football back into his legs,” Hopkinson adds.
Speaking earlier in December, Warnock confirmed his interest in signing Clyne, but explained that Liverpool have “got to look after themselves.”
“He’d be one on our list definitely yes, we’re looking for that position but at the moment they have other problems,” he said.
“I don’t think they would bother about us at the moment, they have to look after themselves.”
Whether the situation has changed now, with both Gomez (leg) and Joel Matip (collarbone) set to return to action next action, is unclear.
Though his comments on his position at Anfield proved to have been largely taken out of context, Moreno’s dwindling contract could see Clyne boosted into a more prominent role as backup full-back.
Academy youngster Adam Lewis travelled with the first team for the weekend’s 5-1 win over Arsenal, though, and the 19-year-old seems to be inching closer to a promotion.
Regardless, the timing of Hopkinson’s claims is strange, as Clyne appears to be in a better position than at any point over the past 18 months.
Another player touted with a move away from Merseyside next month, Dominic Solanke, is firmly on the radar of Crystal Palace, according to their chairman, Steve Parish.
Speaking to beIN Sports, Parish acknowledged that “the papers are not miles off,” after reports Solanke favours a loan move to Selhurst Park over Brighton, Fulham or Huddersfield.
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