Danny Mills explains why Clyne’s Liverpool career is all but over

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After 103 games for the Reds, time finally seems to be up for Nathaniel Clyne’s Anfield career now that Trent Alexander-Arnold has peerlessly established himself as our right-back.

Clyne managed just five appearances this season and, in January, he decided he didn’t want to try and compete with Trent leaving for Bournemouth to see out the rest of the 2018/19 season.

Speaking to Football Insider, Danny Mills praised the 28-year-old but explained why the bell has now truly tolled for Clyne.

“He went to Liverpool and at the time it looked like he was going to be England’s number two right back for a very long time,” Mills admitted.

“I always thought he was a very good defender, brought up playing football in the right way. It just wasn’t to be.

You get injured, somebody comes in – Trent Alexander-Arnold – and suddenly he maybe shows he has the edge on you. That’s life.

“If you do miss a period through injury and somebody gets the chance and does well, there’s nothing you can do about it, you just have to accept it. Trent Alexander-Arnold has been absolutely exceptional. He has been a revelation at Liverpool.

“He (Klopp) will think: ‘Right, I’ve got two right backs, both internationals, both earning good money – one is surplus to requirements.'”

In other words, Trent is just too good for Clyne to ever be able to challenge him.

At 19-years-old, the record-breaking Scouser has made the position his own for years to come, while Clyne – not in the autumn of his years by any stretch – should seek first-team pastures new.

Football Insider have already claimed the Londoner might be heading back to the capital after telling friends he is keen to re-join Crystal Palace, who could be in the market for an Aaron Wan-Bissaka replacement.

The Reds are looking for a fee in the region of £12 million to offload Clyne, who has now effectively slipped down the pecking order to third-choice behind Joe Gomez.

With Gomez’s position obviously at the heart of defence, the Reds will need to sign someone to provide adequate cover for Trent.

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