Reds head the queue for Robins star Kelly
LIVERPOOL are reportedly one of the Premier League sides showing an interest in young Bristol City defender Lloyd Kelly.
Kelly has made the breakthrough into the Robins first team this season and it is clear he has a very bright future in the game.
He was made England Under20s captain earlier this season before being given a chance for Aidy Boothroyd’s Under-21s side.
Kelly did not disappoint with an excellent display after coming on early against Italy’s youngsters and he again looked good against Denmark, playing alongside England’s finest crop of youngsters.
The Reds were one of several clubs who had scouts to watch Kelly, 20, pictured, during City’s 2-0 defeat at Leeds earlier this month and they could be ready to make a move in January.
Jurgen Klopp is looking to replace left-back Alberto Moreno during the upcoming transfer window and Kelly fits the bill as a defender who can attack as well as he can defend.
Kelly, who has played 1,391 minutes in his 16 Championship appearances for City so far this season, signed a new contract with the Robins until 2021 in the summer, with the club also holding an extra year in their favour.
However, interest is expected to build ahead of the January transfer window as Kelly’s reputation grows with several other Premier League sides interested.
BRISTOL Rovers have to back up their 2-1 win over Swansea City Under-21s before they can start celebrating – that is the message from the Pirates assistant manager Marcus Stewart.
Alex Jakubiak scored a late winner for Rovers to help them come from behind to win their Checkatrade Trophy on Wednesday night.
Jordan Garrick put the young Swans ahead early in the second half before Tony Craig clawed a goal back with a header to set up an exciting finish.
Stewart, pictured, said afterwards: “For the first time this season, we have come back and won a game.
“It is nice to get a winner in the last three minutes when it was looking like it was going to be penalties. It was a very important goal.”
However, the former Rovers front man was keen to point out no-one is getting carried away about a victory in the Checkatrade Trophy second round when the club are stuck in the relegation zone in League One, having lost their last five games in all competitions before Wednesday night’s triumph.
He said: “We are on the bend, we have not turned any corner yet.
“It is a win to get some momentum and get some confidence into people, that is all it is.
“However, we go into the game on Saturday (at home to Doncaster) having won a game, albeit it’s a Wednesday night and we lose a bit of recovery; but that is how it is and we have to get a result on Saturday at home, we know that.
“That is the be all and end all, if I am honest with you.
“We have got two days to prepare, physically on Friday, pyschologically tomorrow.
“Of course the players are happy because it is about getting to the next round of the cup.
“If you are not happy winning a game then there is something wrong, likewise if you lose a game and are still happy there is something wrong there.
“The lads know we are through to the next round, but I could tell straight away their minds were on the next game.
“Within 15, 20 minutes of being in that dressing room people were talking about their preparation, what we do in the next 24 hours to be ready for Saturday.
“It is a job done (at Swansea), but there is another job to be done quite soon.”