Kevin Stewart is expected to be awarded a new contract soon, according to the Daily Mail, which suggests Jurgen Klopp sees the Englishman as part of his long-term squad plans.
But the player himself has admitted that he finds his role in the squad tricky because he’s always used as a substitute to shore up the middle of the park when we’re in the lead.
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“Most of the time when I come on, we’re usually leading. So I guess it’s to see the game out and bring the energy levels up a bit to make sure everyone is still following runners and tackling,” he told the official website.
“It is really difficult because you don’t know the intensity of the game or how it feels because you’ve not been involved. But it’s something you’ve got to do to help the team.
“I just watch closely to make myself feel as much a part of it as possible so when I do come on I don’t feel too much of a stranger. It’s hard as it is anyway, but the little percentages can help.”
So far this term, Stewart hasn’t been given a start, but has come off the bench four times in the Premier League and once in the EFL Cup.
In the role Klopp is using him, he’s perfect in fairness. He’s very disciplined, works hard and plays the ball simply – so provides steel and energy in equal measure.
He doesn’t seem to have the technical ability to be a long-term starter for Liverpool, but if he’s content with a squad role, we’re happy to have Stewart.
At 23, there’ll be a time when he’ll want a run of games, so we wouldn’t begrudge him a move eventually – but we’re just pleased to hear comments which suggest that right now he’s very much putting the team first.