Liverpool have seen a scintilating sight going forward this season. We may not have seen Philippe Coutinho quite yet, but the forward three of Salah, Firmino and Mané have been electric, and their goals have pushed Jurgen Klopp's side to second in the league and propelled them easily through to the Champions League group stages.
At the back though, things have been far from perfect. They've already thrown in a number of goals, and look a complete mess at the back at times, with Dejan Lovren often being the centre of fans' critcism.
Deadline day has come and gone, and the problem wasn't addressed, which could mean that Klopp thinks he has enough talent already at the club to fix the problem.
Yesterday, Dubliner Conor Masterson, who turns 19 this week, was included in Liverpool's Champions League squad for the group stages of the competition, a huge vote of confidence from the club.
Masterson, signed by Liverpool as a 13 year old from Lucan United, impressed as captain at centre-back for the Liverpool Under 18s last year, and this year has been marshaling the U23s defence. He was called up to the first team squad for a FA Cup fixture with Exeter City as a 17 year old back in 2016.
Last season, he impressed Klopp on a mid-season training camp in Spain, with the German picking out the Dubliner along with fellow youth team player, English striker Yan Dhanda for praise:
I knew them both from training with us already,
We could have taken Rhian Brewster or a few other guys but Yan Dhanda and Conor Masterson are the next boys.
I know all of the boys and that’s really cool. It’s a good group. They have worked well, really good attitude. Yan and Conor have fitted in well.
As captain of the Under 18s last season, plenty of Liverpool fans took notice and have touted him for success. Though aware of him already have reacted well to his inclusion in Klopp's Champions League squad.
Also calling conor masterson call up a suprise is daft. He is a home grown player and the best defender in the academy
— PJ (@talkingpj) September 4, 2017
Interestingly Conor Masterson is included and Klopp thinks very highly of him. He's a CB in the U23's squad
— BernadetteStrickland 🌈💙 (@BernadetteStric) September 4, 2017
Conor Masterson included in our CL squad. I've yet to see him tested properly but he could well be another chosen one
— usman (@usman_94_) September 4, 2017
Depsite a long tradition of Irish players at Liverpool, the well has dried up in recent years, with no Irish player appearing in the Reds' first team since Robbie Keane in 2009. Here's hoping Masterson can end that run at some stage this season.
