OPINION
Liverpool youngster Harry Wilson has been one of the most impressive performers in the Championship for the past year or so during loan spells with Hull City and Derby County.
His time at the KCOM Stadium last term saw him net seven times in 14 appearances for the Tigers, while also contributing four assists in a real purple patch.
That form unfortunately was not enough to earn him a place in the Liverpool first-team this season, with another loan spell decided upon as the best course of action.
Derby beat out heavy competition to sign the Wales international for the entirety of the campaign, and Wilson has continued his brilliant form in the second-tier with 12 goals in 27 games so far this term in all competitions.
While Wilson will be totally focused on performing for the Rams during the remainder of the season, the 21-year-old will also have one eye on earning that Liverpool place over the summer.
Unfortunately for him however that may not happen, with Reds academy director Alex Inglethorpe providing an insight into his future at Anfield.
In an interview with the Liverpool Echo, Inglethorpe said: “If you are looking at Harry, he might have to get closer to a hundred games elsewhere before he’s ready but there’s no shame in that.
“Mo Salah or Sadio Mane had to have a couple of hundred games under their belt before they were ready to play for Liverpool. Why shouldn’t Harry Wilson? He might have to do the same.”
While it is clear that Inglethorpe and Liverpool hold Wilson in the highest regard after his form in the past season or so, it is also obvious that they are not convinced he is ready to play for the Reds yet.
Inglethorpe claims that Wilson may have to play a hundred games elsewhere before he is ready to perform at Anfield, meaning Wilson is not even halfway there – he has played 41 games on loan so far.
Obviously Wilson could defy expectations and impress Klopp enough to earn a first-team place in the summer, but at the moment it is looking like he is set for disappointment on that front.
All he can do is keep working as hard as he is right now, and be patient, with the club unable to ignore him forever.
