Liverpool keen on young Sheffield United talent Arblaster

Liverpool are watching Oliver Arblaster, a 19-year-old central midfielder at Sheffield United, according to a report in Anfield Watch.

Although Jurgen Klopp is set to depart at the end of the season, recruitment doesn’t stop and Liverpool always keep a close eye on up and coming talents at clubs lower down the food chain.

Arblaster is an England under-20 international, featuring in recent matches against Romania, Portugal, Italy and Germany as the team’s central midfield.

He has entered into the final six months of his Sheffield United contract and no renewal has yet been forthcoming despite Arblaster’s status as a potential first-team star of the future.

Ready for the first team

New manager Chris Wilder was keen to work with the teenage talent in the second half of the season but he has yet to make his Premier League bow.

Arblaster spent the first half of the 2023-24 season on loan at League One Port Vale, where he was hailed by fans as one of the most impressive loan talents ever signed by the club.

He played 26 times for Port Vale and emerged as a key player but his spell in the Potteries was cut short having suffered an injury in the EFL Cup against Middlesbrough.

Wilder then set about plans to integrate the player into the first-team picture, which has not yet happened due to his injury.

Liverpool have a good record of promoting young talent in recent seasons, with the likes of Conor Bradley making the breakthrough of late. The Northern Ireland right back was named the club’s Player of the Month for January although has missed matches of late as he mourns the death of his father.

Bobby Clark, James McConnell and Ben Doak are other talents in the Liverpool youth ranks who have got playing time in the first team this season.