Liverpool centre back Ben Davies to join Sheffield United on a season-long loan deal after playing ZERO MINUTES for Jurgen Klopp’s first team in six months
- The defender signed for Liverpool on a ‘long-term contract’ in February 2021
- Ex-Preston stopper Davies was brought in during Reds’ defensive injury crisis
- Fellow Championship side Bournemouth and Celtic were also keen on a loan deal
Ben Davies is set to join Sheffield United on loan from Liverpool after not making a single first-team appearance since he signed six months ago.
Defender Davies, 26, has not played a single minute in a competitive senior game for the Reds after joining in February along with Schalke defender Ozan Kabak in the midst of the club’s defensive injury crisis.
And a deal taking him to Bramall Lane for the season has been agreed in principle, with the move likely to be rubber-stamped next week.
Liverpool defender Ben Davies (pictured) is set to join Sheffield United on a season-long loan
Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has sanctioned the move to give Davies regular first-team football
Sportsmail‘s Dominic King tweeted: ‘Resolution on Ben Davies’s future. He’s going to join Sheffield United on a season long loan, having been a target for Celtic and Bournemouth.’
The centre half was new Blades manager Slavisa Jokanovic’s first choice to play as a left-sided centre half in a back four, or the left centre half in a back three, with Jack O’Connell still struggling with injury.
Newly relegated Sheffield United were keen on an option to buy him included in the loan, but that was rejected by Liverpool, with Davies potentially part of their medium- to long-term future.
The centre half, 26, has not played a single minute for Liverpool since signing back in February
As well as an undisclosed loan fee, Liverpool managed to secure a promotion bonus to be paid if Jokanovic’s side bounce straight back up to the Premier League.
Despite Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez returning to full fitness and the £36million summer signing of RB Leipzig’s Ibrahima Konate, the Reds planned to keep Davies at Anfield as backup.
Notwithstanding Nat Phillips’ possible move away before the end of the transfer window, 20-year-old Rhys Williams has reportedly impressed manager Jurgen Klopp in pre-season, with regular first-team football seen as helpful for Davies.