Liverpool eye a transfer for Leeds United wunderkind: A smashing move by Klopp

Liverpool are expected to strengthen their squad in the summer transfer window, and have been linked with a move for Leeds United winger Jack Clarke.

Clarke has been a key player for Leeds in recent months after earning the trust of Marcelo Bielsa, and has put in some stellar performances.

According to Express Sport, Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp is keen to add Clarke to the squad, and further strengthen what is already a good squad.

Jack Clarke – Factfile

The 18-year old has made 16 appearances already in the Championship, though a majority of them have come off the bench.

Bielsa often used Clarke as a second-half substitute, but the teenager has seen more starts in the last month or so.

Clarke has managed two goals and two assists so far in the Championship, and has helped the Whites challenge for promotion under Bielsa.

Why Clarke is a good fit for Liverpool

The team’s style of play under Bielsa has excited the fans and barring maybe Wolves from last year, the Championship has rarely seen football so easy on the eye.

That’s where players like Clarke have played a key role. The 18-year old is a technically gifted footballer, and has shown the maturity that belies his age.

Leeds have played an aggressive brand of football, which involves a lot of work off the ball. Liverpool, unlike previous seasons, have played a more pragmatic brand of football, but pressing is still a key facet of Klopp’s style.

Players like Sadio Mane, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita were signed because they were used to playing under a pressing blueprint, and the same applies to Clarke.

Most of Clarke’s appearances have come on the right wing, but he is versatile enough to feature on the left as well. The Englishman has played five times on the left this season.

Klopp prefers wingers who can press, and take on defenders; traits that Clarke possesses in plenty. The teenager is agile, has a trick or two up his sleeve, and has shown that he can be a hard layer to stop when played in the right set-up.

Klopp has developed young talents like Shinji Kagawa, Mario Götze and Robert Lewandowski in the past, and Clarke might become a pretty good acquisition if the Reds manage to sign him.