LIVERPOOL’S RELUCTANCE TO hold back Dominic Solanke’s development was a crucial factor in the striker’s sale to Bournemouth, according to Jurgen Klopp.
Solanke joined Bournemouth on Friday in a reported £19million deal, having failed to make a single competitive appearance for the Reds in all competitions this season.
The former Chelsea forward arrived at Anfield at the start of 2017-18, but scored just one goal in 21 Premier League appearances last term.
And Klopp has revealed that although Liverpool were keen for Solanke to progress, they could not stand in the way of his need for regular football.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp also told reporters it was unlikely the club would be doing a lot of business in January. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
“Football is a business, but on the other side we have to care about people, their situation,” Klopp told a news conference.
“For Dominic it was absolutely right to go. It was a bit unlucky for him in the moments when there was space for him to come into the team that he had injuries. In other moments the squad was full and we had different options.
He trained well but you cannot stay confident over that time, especially in that age group. He needed to play football.
“Bournemouth made a good offer and it’s a good opportunity.
Could there have been a moment in the next half-year where the situation could change for him? Maybe yes, but we don’t want to block our young players when we see something could be better for them.”
Advertisement
Dominic Solanke found game time hard to come by at Liverpool. Dave Thompson
Dave Thompson
The striker may now have to wait until February to make his Bournemouth debut because of a hamstring problem, manager Eddie Howe said on Saturday.
Howe insisted the Cherries were well aware of the 21-year-old’s injury prior to completing the signing.
“Dominic will miss most of January I would say, because he’s got a bit of a hamstring issue,” said Howe, after Bournemouth lost 3-1 to fellow south coast top-flight side Brighton in the third round of the FA Cup at the Vitality Stadium.
“It will be more February before we’re likely to see him in action, but we knew about that because he’s been through all the medicals and checks.
“He adds a slightly different dynamic to our front line. He can hold the ball up in play, he’s technically gifted, has a good physical presence and all-round he’s a very good player.”
Double Switch
Solanke was followed to the Vitality Stadium by Nathaniel Clyne, who has also made the switch from Anfield, albeit on a six-month loan deal.
“With Clyney, having an option like him is good,” Klopp added.
“When I came in, he played like what I felt was each game. He was very good and a very important part of the team in that time.
“Then he got his injury, a back problem, that nobody knew how long it would take and the team changed in that time.
“Joe [Gomez] was fit and Trent [Alexander-Arnold] came up. Having Clyne was still okay but he is at an age where he needs to play and wants to play.
“He asked if he could go and I thought about it and said yes because we have other options. You can always keep a player, but to keep him with the right shape or confidence is not always easy, and they have to play more than Clyney did.”
Gavan Casey, Murray Kinsella and Andy Dunne preview the weekend’s action:
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Solanke's Liverpool exit the right call for his career, claims Klopp
LIVERPOOL’S RELUCTANCE TO hold back Dominic Solanke’s development was a crucial factor in the striker’s sale to Bournemouth, according to Jurgen Klopp.
Solanke joined Bournemouth on Friday in a reported £19million deal, having failed to make a single competitive appearance for the Reds in all competitions this season.
The former Chelsea forward arrived at Anfield at the start of 2017-18, but scored just one goal in 21 Premier League appearances last term.
And Klopp has revealed that although Liverpool were keen for Solanke to progress, they could not stand in the way of his need for regular football.
“Football is a business, but on the other side we have to care about people, their situation,” Klopp told a news conference.
“For Dominic it was absolutely right to go. It was a bit unlucky for him in the moments when there was space for him to come into the team that he had injuries. In other moments the squad was full and we had different options.
“Bournemouth made a good offer and it’s a good opportunity.
The striker may now have to wait until February to make his Bournemouth debut because of a hamstring problem, manager Eddie Howe said on Saturday.
Howe insisted the Cherries were well aware of the 21-year-old’s injury prior to completing the signing.
“Dominic will miss most of January I would say, because he’s got a bit of a hamstring issue,” said Howe, after Bournemouth lost 3-1 to fellow south coast top-flight side Brighton in the third round of the FA Cup at the Vitality Stadium.
“It will be more February before we’re likely to see him in action, but we knew about that because he’s been through all the medicals and checks.
“He adds a slightly different dynamic to our front line. He can hold the ball up in play, he’s technically gifted, has a good physical presence and all-round he’s a very good player.”
Double Switch
Solanke was followed to the Vitality Stadium by Nathaniel Clyne, who has also made the switch from Anfield, albeit on a six-month loan deal.
“With Clyney, having an option like him is good,” Klopp added.
“When I came in, he played like what I felt was each game. He was very good and a very important part of the team in that time.
“Then he got his injury, a back problem, that nobody knew how long it would take and the team changed in that time.
“Joe [Gomez] was fit and Trent [Alexander-Arnold] came up. Having Clyne was still okay but he is at an age where he needs to play and wants to play.
“He asked if he could go and I thought about it and said yes because we have other options. You can always keep a player, but to keep him with the right shape or confidence is not always easy, and they have to play more than Clyney did.”
Gavan Casey, Murray Kinsella and Andy Dunne preview the weekend’s action:
Heineken Rugby Weekly on The42 / SoundCloud
Subscribe to our new podcast, Heineken Rugby Weekly on The42, here:
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Dominic Solanke Eddie Howe Football Jurgen Klopp Liverpool Nathaniel Clyne new horizons Premier League AFC Bournemouth