Philipp Lahm has been revealed as the German football legend to whom Leighton Clarkson was compared by Jurgen Klopp.
The Liverpool teenager made his Champions League debut for the Reds on Wednesday night, in their 1-1 draw away to Midtjylland. He impressed on the night, looking a composed figure in Liverpool’s midfield, never looking out of place.
Before the game, Klopp mentioned a German player to whom Clarkson was similar in style, but didn’t specify at the time. Lahm has now been revealed as that player, with The Athletic‘s Caoimhe O’Neill confirming as such:
Having trained a lot with the first team in recent months the teenager, now nicknamed ‘Philipp Lahm’, has hugely impressed Klopp and co.
They believe Clarkson’s best position – even despite his glowing versatility – is as a defensive midfielder in the No.6 role: the same position which he featured for Liverpool in midweek but one he is not limited to.
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It is early days, but Clarkson really caught the eye on Wednesday night, completing 73.2% of his passes, as well as making two clearances (as per WhoScored).
The 19-year-old’s physicality could be a potential issue moving forward, considering he is rather slight, but that could improve with age.
Klopp has lots of top-class midfield options to call upon, however, so Clarkson will have to keep excelling if he wants to become a squad regular, as has been the case with Curtis Jones.
To be compared to Lahm is a great compliment, though, considering the former Germany and Bayern Munich star’s glittering career.
