OPINION
Liverpool right-back Nathaniel Clyne has endured a tough year or so after a serious injury saw him lose his first-team spot with little prospect of return.
The rise of young stars Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold seemed to put Clyne’s future at Anfield in danger, with the England international struggling to make an impact upon his return from injury towards the end of last season.
It was expected that the 27-year-old flyer may leave Merseyside this summer to seek regular first-team football, but as reported by the Evening Standard, Clyne is now set to remain at the club.
The right-back is said to have impressed Jurgen Klopp in pre-season, earning a place in the manager’s plans for this season with his fitness and attitude this summer.
This is brilliant news for both Clyne and the club, with the former Southampton man being mightily impressive during his first two seasons at Anfield.
The prospect of Clyne returning to that kind of form is an exciting one, and one that all Liverpool fans will welcome with the club looking to challenge on many fronts this coming campaign.
However, one thing remains clear: this is a make-or-break season for Clyne as he returns to the first-team fold.
The 27-year-old is entering the final two years of his contract, meaning that next summer the club will either be looking to hand him a new deal or cash in while they can.
The club’s decision will obviously be based on his performances in the coming term, and therefore Clyne must raise his game if he wants to remain at Liverpool Football Club.
Should he do so, then there is no reason why he cannot stay with the club for years to come and hopefully win several trophies in the process.
Should he fail however, then Clyne will most certainly find himself back at a lower-table club like Southampton, fighting against relegation every season.
The challenge for Clyne is clear, and he must now rise to it if he wants to save his Anfield future.
