OPINION
Nathaniel Clyne was Liverpool’s first-choice right-back this time last summer, but he has certainly endued a torrid last 12 months that has left his Anfield future looking bleak.
The defender spent the majority of the 2017/18 campaign sidelined with a serious back injury and he lost all momentum.
However, the most damaging aspect has been the rise of youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold, who looks like he has consolidated the full-back spot in the starting XI for the foreseeable future.
The added insult is that 19-year-old Alexander-Arnold is now a full member of the England senior squad and even started in the group stage defeat to Belgium at the World Cup on Thursday.
It is extremely difficult to plot a route for Clyne back into the Liverpool side and he must be close to boiling point with what a giant step backwards he has taken in the space of a year.
Clyne has been a fairly consistent performer during his time with Liverpool and has made 98 appearances across all competitions.
However, counterpart Alexander-Arnold offers a lot more going forward and is a dead-ball specialist that looks primed to go right to the top.
Clyne would surely have no trouble attracting several suitors if he became available this summer and may have to think hard about his future, with his path at Anfield seemingly blocked as it stands.
The 27-year-old is now entering the prime years of his career and needs to be playing on a regular basis if he hopes to break back into the England side.
