Liverpool midfielder admits "conversations are starting" about potential exit

Liverpool's playing squad will see a lot of change this summer.

All the signs are pointing to the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, it is also likely that one of Andy Robertson or Kostas Tsimikas will leave the club.

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There is also set to be an attacking overhaul that could see Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz all leave the club, as exclusively revealed by Anfield Watch.

Many players will be assessing their Liverpool future, especially those who aren't guaranteed a spot in Arne Slot's starting XI.

In the case of Luca Stephenson, he's already made up his mind.

"You can only get so much out of a club like Liverpool"

Liverpool have a finite amount of places available in the first team, so while it is absolutely right that young players in the academy should dream of making their way up the ranks, the reality is that it isn't always possible.

For Trent, Jarell Quansah, Harvey Elliott, Caoimhin Kelleher and Curtis Jones the pathway has worked to their advantage, having impressed at the lower level and playing in positions that Liverpool were looking to recruit in.

However, for most players, the route into senior football is often a little more complicated, involving a loan move to a club who can offer them regular minutes before a decision is made on their future.

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After a successful spell at Dundee United, Luca Stephenson now finds himself in that very position. Is a contract extension at Liverpool on the cards? Will he be able to break into Arne Slot's squad? Would Dundee look to make the loan move permanent? Are there other clubs interested in signing him?

Each of these thoughts and more are weighing on 21-year-old right now, and in a wide-ranging interview with The Courier, he spoke at length about where his head is at.

"I don't know as of yet", the Englishman said. "But the conversations are certainly starting.

"I can see a massive difference from where I was when I first came. Last year was my first year of men's football at Barrow. I was in and out of the team, trying to find my feet. Whereas here, I just think it's been a consistent season of playing week in, week out. I'm performing and it's been brilliant for me.

"You can only get so much out of a club like Liverpool as a young player sometimes if you're not going to be Conor Bradley or a Jarell Quansah. If you're not going to be one of those players and you're just going to be in the background, maybe getting a start in the League Cup, I don't think that benefits you much in the long run.

"I think doing what I've done over the past two years is a lot more beneficial for a young player."

Liverpool have been known for their development of young players and opportunities are regularly given to the talented stars who are looking to make an impression on the first team.

But not everyone will succeed in their endeavours, and often the best way to develop your career can be through getting regular minutes. Unfortunately for Stephenson, it seems his future is destined to be elsewhere.

READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold now set for EARLY Liverpool exit

Of course, the Reds will assess all of their players thoroughly before making any decisions, although it seems clear that the Dundee United loanee has already laid out his stall.

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