Academy talent Clay Ewing signs for Liverpool FC

Liverpool has had a great 2024-2025 season. In 30 matches, it has won 22 times, drawn 7 times and only lost once, which has earned it the top spot with a cool 73 points. It’s thus unsurprising that many of its fans have turned to backing it with wagers.

The latter has been made easier by sites like www.irelandbettingsites.ie, which continuously share information about reliable bookies in the market.

However, fans also have to be cognizant of team changes that can affect the odds for better or worse. So, how will Clay Ewing’s debut affect the team, and why?

Addressing Liverpool’s Weaknesses

Liverpool’s performance in the 2024-2025 season is a remarkable improvement from its 2023-2024 season, where it had 82 points and 4 losses. It’s also a jump compared to 2022-2023, where it had 67 points after 9 losses and 19 wins.

However, it is quite close to its 2021-2022 season, where it had only two losses and came in second, a point shy from Manchester City and the 2019-2020 season, where it won with 99 points after 3 losses and 32 wins.

Looking at the team’s history, it’s quite clear that it has what it takes to clinch the top position. But it struggles in the following key areas:

It has gaps in its defence. While Liverpool often puts on a strong offence, it often lags behind in its defensive tactics. So, whenever its opponents get the chance to exploit this loophole, they often succeed, more so in the set pieces. What’s more, the defence is often more effective in offside traps than it is for counterattacks, which leaves the team open.

It has transitional gaps. Many teams often wait for transitions to take advantage of Liverpool’s vulnerabilities, which create clear chances. As Liverpool works hard to reorganise itself, opponents usually make passes past the midfield and defence as most of the team is usually pushing forward, expecting to score a goal.

Add the fact that Liverpool’s players often fail to match the physicality of other teams, and there are key concerns that result in inconsistent performance between the seasons.

Is Clay Ewing the Answer to These Gaps?

For years, Clay has wowed many with his prowess in football, a trait that became evident as he trained at Liverpool FC’s Academy from the U12 level. So good was he that he caught the team’s full attention in the 2023-2024 season where he had a fantastic track in the U18s. Even an injury did not hold him back, and the player went on to make his debut in the U21s. But it’s not just his resilience that earned him a position at Liverpool FC. Instead, he also excels in the following ways:

He is a versatile player. Any football player will tell you that specialising in more than one position is quite the challenge, which explains why many pros stick to the one thing they can do the best. But Ewing excels in playing in the midfield as well as in the left-back, making it easy for him to adapt to tactical needs based on the team’s opponents. So, even if everyone else has pushed forward, Ewing can play a key role in the transition to ensure that the team regains control.

He has shown solid defence skills. Defence strategies often boil down to how well a player can handle a high-pressure situation. Ewing has proven that he not only knows how to position himself but also tackle opponents, especially in one-on-one situations where the stakes are high. This defensive awareness has been core to his career, whether he’s playing in the UEFA Youth League or demonstrating his skills at the U18s.

He is a creative player. When every move counts, all players have to have their eyes on the prize. Ewing boasts an attacking mindset that allows him to create numerous chances for other players through width and creativity.

Not only does Ewing address the key weaknesses in the team, but he has also been proven to be a committed and motivated team player who will go the extra mile to achieve his desired results.