Liverpool complete U-turn on Ben Davies, as defender makes pre-season squad amid Celtic links

Liverpool appear to have completed a turnaround on the future of centre-back Ben Davies, after he made it into their pre-season training squad.

Davies joined the Reds from Preston North End in January 2021. They paid £1.6million to sign him amid their defensive injury crisis.

The Englishman was brought in merely as cover and is yet to actually make his competitive Liverpool debut.

Davies spent last season on loan at Sheffield United in the Championship. He would make 22 appearances for the Blades as they reached the play-off semi-final, before losing to Nottingham Forest.

Davies underperformed on the left side of a back three and ultimately lost his place to Jack Robinson.

The Liverpool loanee spent the last six matches of the campaign on the bench for Paul Heckingbottom’s side.

Davies is the subject of interest from Celtic. They believe they can tempt him away from Anfield with the offer of becoming a first-team regular.

A deal would likely be a permanent one, too, as Liverpool don’t have much need for him now their central defenders are back fit.

Twist in Ben Davies future

However, Davies has made Jurgen Klopp’s pre-season training squad and this opens up the possibility of him staying at the club.

According to the Daily Record, Liverpool are now facing a ‘transfer conundrum’. Should Davies impress Liverpool coaches, then he might not be sold after all.

Of course, the 26-year-old faces plenty of competition to make a Liverpool squad. Klopp has Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez available to him.

But if Nat Phillips, Rhys Williams and Sepp van den Berg all go through with potential loan moves, then Davies may fancy his chances of at least getting a couple of appearances for the FA Cup holders next season.

The ball looks to be in Davies’ court. If he wants to truly get his career back on track and start playing again, then he should opt for a move out of Liverpool.

If he wants to play for a top-flight team though – even if it’s just a few times – then he might remain on Merseyside for another season.

Meanwhile, a report has revealed who is in pole position to sign Neco Williams from Liverpool.