Liverpool defender Luke Chambers is expected to leave the club on loan this summer, with interest from Bayer Leverkusen and Swansea.
Chambers spent the second half of last season on loan at Kilmarnock, appearing in 16 of a possible 17 games and starting 15 in a variety of roles.
This has sparked wider interest in the run-up to the summer transfer window, including reported offers from Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen and Championship side Swansea.
But the 19-year-old remains on Merseyside beyond the deadline, with confusion surrounding his situation among suitors.
His absence throughout pre-season for the first team and under-21s suggested he was on the verge of a move, but it turned out Chambers had returned to training through injury.
“He missed pre-season through injury, but he has worked hard to come back,” U21 coach Barry Lewtas told the club’s official website.
After missing out on senior team trips to Singapore and Germany, as well as academy friendlies against Peterborough, Kidderminster Harriers, Blackpool and Hull, the decision was clearly made to stay.
With Jarell Quansah promoted to the first team, Lee Jonas injured and James Norris and Billy Koumetio leaving on loan, Chambers started the season fit for the Under-21s.
After six appearances at academy level to date, the teenager joined Jurgen Klopp’s coaching squad at the beginning of August and has been a regular at the AXA training center since then.
He has been in the matchday squad for three of the last four matches and made his debut as a late substitute in the 3–1 League Cup win over Leicester.
While there could have been a chance to play more at Swansea or gain more exposure at Leverkusen, the timing of Chambers’ injury really gave him his chance at Liverpool.
“His debut was a special moment, especially considering how long he has been at the club since he was six years old,” Lewtas said.
“It’s like Jarell and long may it continue.
“Liverpool are likely to make further bids for Chambers, who can play at both centre-back and left-back, in January.
Whether he leaves on another loan deal remains to be seen, and it’s possible he could feature later in the Europa League group stage and perhaps against Bournemouth in the fourth round of the League Cup.
