Duncan pulled out of U23s game & changes for Burnley – Tuesday’s Liverpool FC News Roundup

We round up the latest Liverpool news and transfer rumours on Tuesday, as the Reds prepare to visit Burnley on Saturday.

Today’s Main Headlines

Duncan Pulled Out of U23s Clash

BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND - Thursday, July 11, 2019: Liverpool's Bobby Duncan during a pre-season friendly match between Tranmere Rovers FC and Liverpool FC at Prenton Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

According to reports on Tuesday, Bobby Duncan will not be allowed to leave Liverpool this summer, with the club keen to see him develop at the club’s academy.

Sky Sports News claim that the young striker “pulled out” of the under-23s’ 4-2 win over Southampton on Monday night, having not been included in the starting XI.

Duncan is thought to be “frustrated at Liverpool’s unwillingness to entertain offers”, as they remain stubborn about the situation.

The 18-year-old hasn’t handled this situation particularly well, in truth, acting more like a seasoned professional than an emerging youngster.

He has only just been promoted to the U23 setup after winning the FA Youth Cup with the under-18s last season – focusing on impressing for Neil Critchley‘s side should be the order of the day.

Duncan should be applauded for wanting senior first-team football, in some ways, but he has not gone about it in the right way if the latest reports are to be believed.


Burnley to Ring the Changes

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - Thursday, August 16, 2018: Burnley's manager Sean Dyche during the UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round 2nd Leg match between Burnley FC and ?stanbul Ba?ak?ehir at Turf Moor. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool head to Burnley this weekend, which always has the potential to be an awkward 90 minutes.

The Clarets look likely to be refreshed by the time the Reds visit Turf Moor on Saturday, with Sean Dyche confirming he will play a weakened team in the League Cup:

“There will definitely be changes for Wednesday’s cup game. We want everyone active and alive and I believe in the players.

“I am pretty sure we will put out a team that can attempt to win the game and I believe in the group. Everyone has a part to play.

“It is just about making sure everyone is getting some minutes around the group and staying connected to what the group has to offer over a season because it is a season’s work.”

Burnley host League One side Sunderland on Wednesday evening – don’t bank on them winning the competition this season, given Dyche’s approach to it.


Aurelio Lauds Liverpool’s Growth

TRABZON, TURKEY - Thursday, August 26, 2010: Liverpool's Fabio Aurelio in action against Trabzonspor during the UEFA Europa League Play-Off 2nd Leg match at the Huseyin Avni Aker Stadium. (Pic by: David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Fabio Aurelio was a hugely popular figure at Liverpool during his time there, scoring famous free-kicks against both Man United and Chelsea.

The Brazilian was present at Anfield on Saturday as the Reds beat Arsenal, going top of the Premier League in the process.

Speaking to LiverpoolFC.com, Aurelio discussed how much Liverpool has improved as an entire club in recent years, both on and off the pitch:

“It’s amazing. It’s a completely new experience now after the changes [to the stadium].

“I was here in 2014 for a holiday but it was July so there were no games, no football. It was a big pity because I would have liked to come back to Anfield.

“But now I had the opportunity for a massive game. I can see around how different it is and how big Liverpool has become. It was already big but now you can see how they grow, with the trophies and the [way the] team are playing.

“It is amazing to be back and feel that very good atmosphere here.”

It’s not a bad time to be a Red, is it?


Grobbelaar Hails African Trio

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 24, 2019: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring the third goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Bruce Grobbelaar was the first African player to make a name for himself at Liverpool, but several figures are taking centre stage these days.

The Zimbabwean has lauded the brilliance of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Joel Matip, describing them as the best Africa has to offer in a footballing sense.

“There are a lot of good African players and we’ve got three of the best at Liverpool,” Grobbelaar told BBC Sport.

Sadio Mane came in and he is doing a stunning job. He was unlucky to lose the Africa Nations Cup final [against Algeria].

Mohamed Salah, well if you go to Egypt he is a god there.

Joel Matip, I knew his brother also, with whom Zimbabwe have had many battles and we played against Cameroon thrice in World Cup competitions. We were beaten and The Indomitable Lions went into the finals.”

While the praise for Salah and Mane is not exactly surprising, it’s nice to see Matip receiving some column inches.

The centre-back has been in superb form since the second half of last season, leapfrogging Joe Gomez in the pecking order.


Critchley Lauds Youngsters’ Improvements

DERBY, ENGLAND - Friday, March 8, 2019: Liverpool's manager Neil Critchley before the FA Premier League 2 Division 1 match between Derby County FC Under-23's and Liverpool FC Under-23's at the Derby County FC Training Centre. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool’s U23s picked up an impressive 4-2 win away to Southampton on Monday – their first win of the season after a shaky start.

In an interview with LiverpoolFC.com, Critchley lauded the performances of young attacking trio Rhian Brewster, Curtis Jones and, in particular, Harvey Elliott.

“It was lovely for Rhian to get his first goal, he’s off the mark, Curtis got a goal too, a little bit of fortune but he made a lovely run in behind.

“I thought Harvey [and] his general play all night was excellent. He was a real thorn in their side and he showed really intelligence with his movement running in behind them.

“I thought his work-rate off the ball as well and his attitude to work for the team was fantastic. I was really impressed with him.”

That’s the kind of talk which could get a youngster noticed by senior management—keep it up!

Get our Liverpool FC roundups like this one to your inbox every evening!

An informative, tongue-in-cheek roundup of the day’s events at LFC and the wider football world.