---
title: "Philipp Lahm reveals the German legend to whom Leighton Clarkson was compared"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/philipp-lahm-revealed-german-legend-klopp-leighton-clarkson-comparison/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2020-12-11T12:00:00Z"
modified: "2020-12-11T12:00:00Z"
---

# Philipp Lahm reveals the German legend to whom Leighton Clarkson was compared

Philipp Lahm has been revealed as the German football legend to whom [Leighton Clarkson](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2020/12/09/impressive-statistic-shows-how-much-clarkson-shone-on-liverpool-debut/) was compared by Jurgen Klopp.

The Liverpool teenager made his [Champions League debut](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leighton-clarkson/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/470606/saison/2020/wettbewerb/CL/verein/31) for the Reds on Wednesday night, in their 1-1 draw away to Midtjylland. He [impressed on the night](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1508884/LiveStatistics/Europe-Champions-League-2020-2021-FC-Midtjylland-Liverpool), looking a composed figure in Liverpool’s midfield, never looking out of place.

Before the game, Klopp [mentioned](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/klopp-liverpool-team-news-leighton-clarkson-german-star) 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](https://theathletic.co.uk/2251182/2020/12/10/leighton-clarkson-clitheroe-philipp-lahm/)*‘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.

### Read Liverpool Verdict

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](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/384123/Show/Leighton-Clarkson)).

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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-liverpool/kadernachposition/verein/31) 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/curtis-jones/leistungsdaten/spieler/433188).

To be compared to Lahm is a great compliment, though, considering the former Germany and Bayern Munich star’s [glittering career](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/philipp-lahm/erfolge/spieler/2219).