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According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool, Everton and Manchester United are all keeping tabs on Blackburn Rovers attacking midfielder John Buckley.

What’s the story?

As per the aforementioned report, Rovers are currently trying to agree a new contract with Buckley, in order to fend off potential transfer interest from a number of top flight clubs. 

The 19-year-old is yet to feature for the first team at Ewood Park, but is considered a hugely talented prospect. He has been a regular for Rovers’ under-23s side this season, and has impressed throughout their Premier League 2 campaign. 

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If Liverpool were to make a concerted effort to bring Buckley to Anfield then they would likely be able to prise the youngster away from Ewood Park.

Where’s the risk?

Given that he’d likely only cost the Reds a small transfer fee, a move to sign Buckley would be a relatively risk-free one for the Merseyside outfit to make. However, in bringing the teenager to the club, they may be impeding the path to first team football for some of Liverpool’s other talented young prospects.

It’s already a huge ask for any young player to break into Jurgen Klopp’s attacking contingent, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino ahead of them in the pecking order. Buckley would surely struggle to make an impression, which could hamper his development.

What’s more, if Buckley were to exceed all expectations and earn himself some senior involvement, that could see someone like Rhian Brewster or Harry Wilson miss out on first team football instead. Despite being a seemingly risk-free signing then, bringing Buckley to Anfield could still backfire.

The player himself would probably be better served by continuing his education at Ewood Park, too.