Brendan Rodgers has described Daniel Cleary as “a very good player” after including the Irish youngster in his Liverpool squad to face Sion FC tonight.
The 19-year-old defender is yet to make a competitive first-team appearance for the Reds but is believed to be within touching distance of his Liverpool debut.
Dubliner Cleary was included in the squad for Liverpool’s opening Europa League game of the season in Bordeaux, but he may get a chance from the bench in home comforts when Swiss side Sion visit Anfield tonight.
"Daniel will be in around the squad,” said Antrim native Rodgers of Cleary. “He’s a very good player and he is going to have a very good career in the game. He is very committed.
"I have seen developments in all aspects of his play over the last couple of years. I've seen him improve.
"Of course, we have played young players but I also respect that there are other players that need games as well and it is a competition that we want to get the victory in."
Cleary is described by the club's official website as an 'aggressive' defender who possesses great ability in possession of the ball, but Rodgers admits the teenager may need to go out on loan to get more experience further down the line.
He added: "I'm sure if Daniel doesn't get the game-time here at the moment there will probably be a loan period for him. But in the meantime he is playing in our U-21 side and doing very well."
Clearly was signed from Crumlin United in 2011 and moved to Liverpool from Dublin as a 15-year-old in January 2012.
