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Ben Davies is reportedly set to leave Liverpool without playing one minute for the club as relegated Sheffield United seem keen to take the defender this summer.

The 25-year-old was a £1.6m January acquisition for the Reds. Jurgen Klopp was without a trio of key defenders as Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip were all crocked. A few big-name stoppers were linked to the club.

And it was something of a surprise when they opted for the Preston North End man. Ozan Kabak also arrived on loan from Schalke in the winter window.

But while the 21-year-old Turkey international made nine Premier League appearances, Davies was never used. The former York City loan man made the bench in the league on four occasions.

But he has yet to kick a ball in anger for the senior side, with injuries also hampering his progress. And it may be that he never does, with rumours the Blades want him, according to The Sun.

Speaking back in March, Klopp backed the centre-half to remain at the club and do a job. But with the injured trio on the comeback trail and Ibrahima Konate’s arrival, that looks extremely unlikely.

Celtic and Bournemouth have also expressed an interest in the Barrow-born star who has made 145 appearances for Preston.

Gomez relieved as Davies exit nears

Liverpool’s title defence was running smoothly until the turn of the year. They sat top of the pile on December 30 last year but the side then hit the buffers in spectacular fashion.

The Merseysiders lost eight of 12 top-flight matches and were as low as eighth on March 7. They showed their class to rally, with eight wins and two draws in their final 10 games of the camouagn.

It was enough to sneak into the top four and secure Champions League football. The players are now in pre-season training, with the treatment room far less crowded.

Van Dijk and Matip are vital to the Anfield outfit’s cause. And the German tactician was delighted with their progress while also remaining cautious.

Gomez made only seven league appearances last term. He was eyeing a place in England’s Euro 2020 squad but, after knee surgery in November 2020, it was impossible.

It has been a slow recovery process and the 24-year-old was happy to be back among his team-mates.

“Getting back on the pitch with the boys meant everything,” he said. “Obviously after such a long layoff, it’s not a case of just being thrown in the deep end, we’ll probably have to do some adaptations, the likes of myself and Virgil.

“That’s where it’s nice to work alongside each other – we had different injuries, but we’ve been in it together all the way.

“There’ll be days where we have to do something more suitable for us, but to do team training today after such a long time means a lot.”

READ MORE: Forgotten man primed for second chance amid Liverpool transfer fear

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