2JPW2NM McDiarmid Park, Perth, UK. 20th Aug, 2022. Scottish premier league football, St Johnstone versus Aberdeen: Leighton Clarkson of Aberdeen applauds the fans Credit: Action Plus Sports/Alamy Live News

Liverpool midfielder wins young player of the year amid European push

Liverpool loanee Leighton Clarkson has been named Aberdeen’s Young Player of the Year at the club’s end-of-season awards.

The midfielder has made 33 appearances since joining the Scottish Premier League side in the summer, notching five goals and eight assists in all competitions.

Clarkson’s impressive campaign has helped take Aberdeen up to third place in the league table, all but securing a Europa League spot for the club next season.

More than 1,000 people were in attendance at the awards ceremony at the P&J Live, where Clarkson was among a host of winners on both the men’s and women’s sides.

In February, the 21-year-old insisted that the loan move has been “beneficial” for his development, adding that he has been played in “a couple of different positions” during his time in Scotland.

The youngster spent last season on loan at Blackburn, where he made 19 appearances and registered two goals with three assists.

2M8X00K Glasgow, Scotland, UK. 15th January 2023; Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland: Scottish Viaplay Cup Football Semi Final, Rangers versus Aberdeen; Leighton Clarkson of Aberdeen Credit: Action Plus Sports Images/Alamy Live News

It remains to be seen whether Clarkson’s future lies at Anfield or whether a temporary or permanent switch will be made this summer.

He has made three senior appearances for the club so far, including a 90-minute display during a 1-1 draw away at Midtjylland in the Champions League.

The midfielder will no doubt be hoping that his eye-catching loan spell will have caught the attention of manager Jurgen Klopp as he bids for greater involvement at Liverpool upon his return.