It's been a long time since Irish Liverpool fans have had one of their own to hang an inordinate amount of hope on. The likes of Richie Partridge and Darren Potter didn't quite live up to expectations but now there's a new name to keep an eye on.
Brendan Rodgers has included 19 year old Dubliner Daniel Cleary in his squad to take on Bordeaux in the Europa League on Thursday. The Liverpool boss has indicated that he will use the competition to take a look at the full extent of his squad and, in keeping with that, Cleary and a number of fringe players have been brought to France for the group stage opener.
Cleary, a centre back who's comfortable with the ball at his feet, was included in the pre-season trip to Asia in July and he even saw some game time in the 1-1 draw with a Malaysian XI. That was the first time since Robbie Keane's departure in 2009 that an Irishman was even close to the Liverpool first team. Now it looks like Cleary could even go one better.
It may be a somewhat hopeful to think that he will make his competitive debut on Thursday night but nonetheless it is extremely positive for the former St. John Bosco youngster that he is in Rodgers' thinking. Given his playing position, it's not be too much of a stretch to think that a first team appearance may not be too far away.
Liverpool are not exactly blessed with centre backs at the moment and with the departure of Tiago Ilori, there's not much competition behind the likes of Lovren, Skrtel, Sakho and Toure.
