Liverpool staff have always believed that young forward Paul Glatzel was more likely to make the grade than Bobby Duncan, according to The Athletic.
The online outlet claim that despite leaving the club in the summer, Duncan was highly rated at Anfield and his exit has pushed Glatzel into the spotlight.
The Athletic report on their website that the German starlet won’t make the jump into the senior side in the near future down to injury, but the Reds are still keeping close tabs on his progress.
Glatzel secured his future in Merseyside recently by signing a new long-term deal at the beginning of September.
OPINION
Liverpool clearly envisage a bright future for the young German talisman and awarding him a new contract despite him having an injury highlights that. The 18-year-old was involved in first-team training at Melwood in pre-season and must have impressed Klopp in those sessions after being given the chance to feature against Tranmere Rovers in a friendly – the game he picked up the injury in. The prolific youngster scored 28 goals for the under-18’s last season and clearly has a better attitude than Duncan, who left the club due to concerns over first-team opportunities. Klopp will want young players who want to try everything to break into the senior side rather than ones who spit their dummy out when not given a chance, something that sets Glatzel apart from Duncan. Once returning from injury, Klopp will no doubt want to see the 18-year-old return to the academy and prove his fitness before being involved in the senior side in pre-season next year once again.
