James Pearce reported on Sunday that Liverpool defender Ben Davies will go on loan to Sheffield United and is set for a medical.
He took to Twitter to write: “Ben Davies is close to sealing a season-long loan move to Sheffield United.
“Could undergo medical Monday. No option to buy. LFC will bank a loan fee and a promotion bonus if Davies helps the Blades return to the Premier League.”
Once the medical is complete and all the paperwork is in order, the two clubs will announce the deal and the 26-year-old will head to Sheffield for 12 months.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Ben Davies of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on August 11, 2021 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
An odd signing from Liverpool and while the chapter isn’t quite at a close just yet, this could be the beginning of the end for Davies.
Loans aren’t the biggest endorsement of a player’s talent or a coach’s belief in said player and with Davies already 26, it’s unlikely he breaks into Liverpool’s starting XI from here.
It’s unfortunate because it’s clear that he’s a good lad and from the clips we’ve seen of him, the former Preston centre-back is composed on the ball but simply isn’t up to the standard required at Anfield.
It’s unclear whether he is a rare transfer misstep from Jurgen Klopp and Michael Edwards or if he’s simply failed to impress since he joined in January but it’s clear that his chance on Merseyside has come and gone.
Ben Davies of Liverpool detail of Liverpool’s stadium during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and CA Osasuna at Anfield on August 9, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Even Ibrahima Konate, signed from RB Leipzig for a fee worth £36million, who was expected to start at the heart of defence alongside van Dijk vs Norwich, had to make do with a place on the bench on the opening day of the season.
Jurgen Klopp is now blessed with a wealth of talent at the back after his side’s defensive crisis last season and even a talented player like Konate has to make do with a place on the bench.
Davies, who will soon be announced as a temporary Sheffield United player, was never going to force his way in over the likes of Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, van Dijk or Konate let alone Nathaniel Phillips or Rhy Williams.
