Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp chose against recalling Leighton Clarkson from a loan spell at Aberdeen in January. But interim Dons boss Barry Robson feels he can dictate their games.
That is according to The Press and Journal, which reports Klopp chose not to use a recall clause in Clarkson’s transfer. Liverpool had an option to get the 21-year-old back at Anfield in January. But the German opted to let the midfielder see out a season-long switch in full.
Clarkson moved to Pittodrie last August and has enjoyed a productive campaign so far with the Premiership club. The Clitheroe native has made 25 appearances in all competitions so far this term. He has also scored five goals and has three assists, while starting 22 games.
Liverpool held an option to recall Clarkson from his loan spell with Aberdeen in January to bolster Klopp’s midfield options. But the Anfield boss personally allowed the midfielder to see out the term in Scotland. He also had interest in the English Championship last month.
Reports by Alan Nixon claimed Neil Critchley wanted to raid Liverpool and hire Clarkson on loan for Queens Park Rangers. He knows the midfielder well following the QPR boss’ spells with the Reds’ youth teams. Yet Klopp ruled that Clarkson should see out his Pittodrie stay.
Interim Aberdeen boss Robson hails Clarkson after Liverpool kept his loan intact
Interim Aberdeen boss Robson benefitted greatly from Klopp choosing to keep Clarkson’s loan transfer intact in January. The midfielder recorded his third assist of the season so far in style on Saturday. He played Bojan Miovski in with a smart pass to beat Motherwell 3-1.
Robson has assumed charge at Pittodrie after Aberdeen sacked Jim Goodwin at the end of January. He also now believes the Dons have found Clarkson’s best position by fielding him as the club’s central midfielder. The Reds talent has featured throughout the engine room.
“We have found the best position, I believe, for Leighton Clarkson,” Robson has stated, via quotes by The Press and Journal. “I always thought Leighton was a six. Sometimes he wants to play a double six in there. Leighton is the one that can control the game.
“He had some great passing and some great movement [against Motherwell]. Leighton can dictate and run the game. He is the one we are going to get a bit of football from. You can see that.”
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He added: “Leighton played a big part in one of Bojan’s goals with an unbelievable pass.”
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