"If he goes to Liverpool" - Andy Townsend warns player not to join Reds

Pundit Andy Townsend believes that full-back Djed Spence should stay away from Liverpool.

The 21-year-old is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest from Middlesbrough (spell concludes at the end of the season).

Spence has been linked with a move to Anfield. However, Townsend has warned the Englishman that he will be given very few opportunities playing under Reds boss Jurgen Klopp because of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson.

The full-back duo have helped the club win five major trophies since 2019.

Townsend said the following about Spence on talkSPORT (5:43pm, March 21, 2022): “He has been outstanding. During that Cup run, he was absolutely fantastic. He looks like a player of real promise.

“However, I don’t think anyone should go to a club knowing you are going to go there and going to sit and you are going to wait. If he goes to Liverpool, those two positions (right-back and left-back) are incredibly strong at that club.”

Anfield Watch Verdict

Spence is a fine young talent. The 21-year-old full-back has been averaging a WhoScored player rating of 7.04 across the 2021-22 club campaign (37 appearances).

But, as Townsend has said, there is no way that Spence would be a regular in Klopp's starting XI.

Alexander-Arnold and Robertson have been the German's first-choice full-backs for five years. Both players are also under the age of 30. Alexander-Arnold and Robertson are not retiring anytime soon.

Therefore, Spence would be better off staying at Middlesbrough/Forest or signing for a Premier League club where he will be given an opportunity.

Young kids ultimately want to play football. With that being the case, even if Liverpool lodged an offer for Spence, we don't think he would want to sign for the club.