There was quite a bit of buzz around these parts a couple of weeks ago when 19 year old Dan Cleary was named in Liverpool's Europa League squad to face Bordeaux. If he'd made his debut that night he would have become Liverpool's first Irish player since Robbie Keane in 2009.
He didn't make his debut that night but he's back in the squad to face FC Sion in Anfield tonight and he's in with a chance of getting some game time judging by Brendan Rodgers' comments at the pre-match press conference yesterday.
Daniel will be in around the squad. Of course, we have played young players but I also respect that there are other players that need games as well and it is a competition that we want to get the victory in.
Daniel is a very good player, he is going to have a very good career in the game. He is very committed. I have seen developments in my time, as a young player, I've seen him improve.
The Liverpool boss went on to suggest that the most likely route for Cleary would be a loan move but that's not to say he may not get a chance to make his first team debut at Anfield first.
With Dejan Lovren injured and Brendan Rodgers likely to rest Skrtel and Sakho ahead of the Merseyside derby, Kolo Toure and Joe Gomez are the only other central defenders in the squad. However, if Rodgers decides to shore things up at the back this weekend he could reinstate Gomez at left back against Everton.
Even if that is the case, it's very unlikely Cleary will get a start against Sion but hopes are high that he may get to see action at some stage tonight.
