Jurgen Klopp could give Rafael Camacho Liverpool debut in FA Cup third round at Wolves

Who is the winger-turned-fullback forcing his way into Liverpool's first-team picture?

Monday 07 January 2019 15:08 GMT
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Jurgen Klopp reacts to Liverpool's defeat at Man City and discusses title race

Liverpool could hand a first-team debut to youngster Rafael Camacho in the FA Cup third round tie at Wolves on Monday night.

The Portuguese teenager has been included in the squad and may get a run-out at right-back after Nathaniel Clyne went out on loan to Bournemouth.

Clyne took aim at Jurgen Klopp for leaving him out of the side while fit and leapt at the chance to leave in order to play first-team football, while the German was happy to let Clyne out the door knowing Trent Alexander-Arnold had the number 2 jersey nailed down and that Fabinho and teenager Ki-jana Hoever could step in.

But it may turn out to be Camacho, who Klopp converted from a winger into a full-back in pre-season, who gets the chance with 16-year-old Hoever still developing. Fellow youngster Curtis Jones was also mentioned by Klopp as someone with a chance of making an appearance in the cup.

"Curtis [Jones] is another good example, he's just a fantastic player. He is now with us since February last year and it's just brilliant to have them around," Klopp said.

Rafael Camacho is pushing into the first-team picture

"If you could see them every day then you would see how big steps they make.

"Rafa Camacho is the same. We have a lot of these young boys constantly around and I'm really happy about that, but they have all the time in the world."

Camacho first emerged into the senior picture during the summer's pre-season friendlies against Tranmere and Manchester City, where he was tried out in his new position.

Speaking about the defensive role, he said: “The boss is asking me to do a job as a right-back for him. He wants to see me defending-wise and I’m just trying to do my best to help the team.

“(I want) to impress and give everything everyday to show the boss and help the whole team and show I can be a part of this Liverpool squad and go from there.”

Last season Camacho was a fixture in the Under-18s side under former boss Steven Gerrard and then made his debut for the Under-23s.

The youngster was also named on the bench for the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park last March but remained an unused substitute in his first taste of the first-team squad.

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