'Liverpool interested in signing Boro defender'

If rumours are to be believed, Liverpool are interested in acquiring the services of 21-year-old Dael Fry from Middlesbrough.

According to news from various media outlets, five-time European Champions Liverpool are monitoring the situation of 21-year-old Dael Fry.

The report has further claimed that Liverpool scouts have watched the defender as many as six times in the past few months.

Liverpool have a recent history of signing young English defenders from the lower leagues, with the former Charlton Athletic defender Joe Gomez offering a case in point.

Before joining Liverpool, Joe Gomez had a similar career trajectory to Dael Fry, with the English defender never having played for a Premier League side before joining the Reds.

Apart from the success Gomez has enjoyed at Liverpool – he is a near-permanent name in the Liverpool starting XI every week – it is Jurgen Klopp’s record with youngsters which might entice Fry to make the move.

For, in addition to Gomez, the German manager has given debuts to the likes of Trent Arnold, Andy Robertson and Ryan Kent in the Liverpool senior team.

Move looks unlikely

Apart from enjoying plenty of game time under manager Tony Pulis – he has made 11 starts in Championship so far this season, Fry has been a Middlesbrough player his entire club career.

Also, even if the move makes sense for both the player and Liverpool in the long term, in the short term Fry might not be so keen on the move.

For, apart from Joe Gomez – who could also play on the right, Liverpool have three central defenders in Virgin Van Dijk, Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip. So if Fry ends up making the move, he won’t be able to get much game time.

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However, even if Fry decides to take the next step in his career, Middlesbrough could ill-afford to let the player go in the middle of the season.