Liverpool have reached an agreement with Shelbourne to loan full back James Norris to the League of Ireland side until the end of the Premier League season.
An academy player, the local youngster climbed his way through the Reds' ranks before reaching professional status in 2020. After being on loan with Tranmere in League Two, he has not made an appearance for Liverpool in the top flight this season, but he has found success in Premier League 2 where he has played 10 times and has also attached a goal and assist to his name.
The 21-year old notes former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp's guidance as being a strong helping hand in his growth as a player for when he was starting with the club, and though the German manager's era is over, his influence remains strong for the left back.
I remember the first time I went up there I was a bit slow getting out to my man in the drills, and [Klopp] just put an arm around me and went, 'You need to be quicker, you need to be sharper'. It's like the blueprint of Andy Robertson— aggression, attacking and getting forward. He's finding the perfect blueprint to follow.
Norris spoke to the Shelbourne website on Monday evening and said he'd spoken with both Luke Byrne, the club's technical director and former captain, and Damien Duff about the move.
Meanwhile, Shelbourne are back to winning ways after sealing a 3-1 home victory against Derry City to start their 2025 League of Ireland run, but manager Damien Duff is never one to grow complacent, so the signing of Norris is another statement that Shels have plans to expand and continue to lead the league.
The Dublin side face Waterford next in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division this Friday. Waterford also secured three points in their opening fixture, so both teams will want to set themselves right with a run of form to start the season.
