Lee Clark speaks to the ECHO's Keifer MacDonald about how son Bobby came to sign for Liverpool and the exciting next steps he could take as Anfield dream unfolds
When Liverpool and Newcastle United lock horns on Sunday afternoon, there'll be no love lost from either side.
Bobby enjoyed a pre-season breakthrough this summer in the Far East as he bagged his first goal for Liverpool during the 4-0 thrashing of Leicester City at the Singapore National Stadium. And while some supporters may have only then taken notice of the winger-turned-midfielder, he has been on the footballing main stage for most of his junior years.
"But he was just blown away by how much Liverpool knew about him, how much in-depth knowledge they had of him and also their stance was that they weren’t signing him to help them win the FA Youth Cup, or be successful at under-21s level, but because one day they believed he could be a first-team player for Liverpool.
"A lot of people don’t believe me, but I never affected the outcome of which club Bobby was going to go to. It was Bobby’s decision, albeit forced on him due to various different things to leave Newcastle, and then he decided that Liverpool was his club. "As his parent first and foremost, I backed him up 100%. Now, we speak on the phone every day about various different things and I’ll advise him. I’ll tell him how I would go about things from a player’s point of view or a coaching point of view. I can give him different slants on how to approach different situations."
Having won just one of his four visits to Anfield as a player during his time with Newcastle and Fulham, the 50-year-old added: "It’s completely different when it’s your boy who’s got the support of the Anfield crowd rather than having them against you. That is very difficult to start with because not only are you playing against top players but also a magnificent set of supporters.
"I already knew what James was about because I played with him at Newcastle when he was coming through and then when I retired in 2006 I became the reserve team manager and later a first-team coach. I knew people like James would be the perfect example for Bobby in terms of how to behave on and off the pitch, how you become a player who started in the Premier League at 16 and is still playing 21 years later.
Though with less than a week of the summer transfer window remaining, despite interest from sides in the English Football League, the 18-year-old's short-term future on Merseyside is far from decided.
Österreich Neuesten Nachrichten, Österreich Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Dimitar Berbatov's Premier League predictions including Newcastle vs LiverpoolAnother huge weekend of action.
Weiterlesen »
Klopp hints at Liverpool centre-back transfer stance after Konate injuryLiverpool injury updates from Jurgen Klopp ahead of Premier League away game at Newcastle United
Weiterlesen »
Jurgen Klopp press conference live - Mohamed Salah transfer latestLiverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will be previewing Sunday's Premier League meeting with Newcastle
Weiterlesen »
Eddie Howe admits he 'can't be friends' with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp for one reasonLiverpool take on Newcastle in the Premier League at St James' Park.
Weiterlesen »
Newcastle United v Liverpool team newsPreview followed by live coverage of Sunday's Premier League game between Newcastle United and Liverpool.
Weiterlesen »
Sheffield United boss sends warning to Man City ahead of Premier League clashManchester City travel to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United without their head coach, Pep Guardiola
Weiterlesen »