29 May 2016

Transfer Update: 'Brilliant' Liverpool star admits he's 'happy to leave Anfield this summer on loan

Based in the ceaseless transfer links, Jurgen Klopp is desperate to sign a new left-back this summer, and if that happens, it almost certainly means a diminished first-team role next season for Brad Smith. The Australian international has acquitted himself well over the last year, but Smith is realistic about his chances, and he's seemingly happy to go out on loan.

When asked this week about his Liverpool future, Smith told Four Four Two magazine:

“Hopefully, I'll do well at pre-season and stay at the club [Liverpool], but if not, [I'll] speak to the manager, and if he wants me to go out on loan and get experience I'm happy to do that."

In recent weeks, Liverpool have reportedly put in an offers for both Raphael Guerreiro and Ben Chilwell, and if that's the case, then it suggests that Klopp doesn't have faith in Smith to Liverpool's regular first-team left-back.

Smith is clearly a talented prospect. He's looked solid and enterprising in every game he's played, and he hasn't made any defensive mistakes that led directly to goals.

Obviously, Smith is not the finished article, but at the age of 22, he is four years older than Chilwell, and is much further ahead in his development (in terms of first team experience).

I just don't get it. Smith is good enough to play for the Australian national team, yet he's apparently not good enough to challenge Alberto Moreno for a place in the first team. If Klopp has faith in Smith, why - in season with a reduced fixture list - is he trying to bring in an untested 18-year old with *three* senior appearances to his name?

What an insult, and a giant vote of no-confidence.

Basically, it's Joao Carlos Teixeira all over again. Like Smith, Teixeira is in his early 20s; he's acquitted himself well every time he's played for the club; fans can see that he's talented, and (arguably) deserves a proper run in the team to prove himself, yet for some reason, Klopp doesn't rate him.

In my view, Smith - recently hailed by Jamie Carragher as 'brilliant' - should follow Rossiter, Sinclair and (possibly) Sergi Canos out the door this summer, and sign for a team where he has the faith of the manager.


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