Liverpool defender Gerrard called ‘best ever’ returns from French disaster

Young defender Adam Lewis is set to return to Liverpool after a disappointing loan spell with French Ligue 2 side Amiens.

The left-back signed a season-long loan deal at Stade de la Licorne but reports claim it is already over. Club legend Steven Gerrard labelled the youngster the ‘best’ Under-18 left-back he had ever seen in 2017.

That is high praise from the Rangers manager and he made his Reds first-team debut in February 2020. That was in an EFL Cup fourth-round replay against Shrewsbury Town and remains his only senior outing to date.

With his route to the first team blocked by Andy Robertson, Lewis was sent to France to increase his game time. But he made just nine league appearances between August 22 and November 7, before falling off the radar.

Manager Oswald Tanchot has not selected him since. An article from Courrier Picard in December suggested he ‘failed to convince the staff’ at Amiens.

The source added that there was already talk of him ‘not wanting to return’ after the midseason break. RMC Sport journalist Loic Tanzi has confirmed that and stated the 21-year-old ‘will leave Amiens’ and ‘will return to England’.

It is unclear why Lewis failed to settle at Amiens but there is always a chance to find him another loan deal in January. However, it is unlikely he will feature under Jurgen Klopp despite Liverpool’s defensive crisis.

It is at centre-back that they are struggling, with Robertson still fit and flying for the Reds.

Van Dijk ahead of schedule

The injury to star defender Virgil van Dijk threatened to derail the Merseysiders’ title push. They have coped without their talisman although no win in three sees them level on 33 points with Manchester United.

Next up for the champions is a huge Premier League clash with United at Anfield on Sunday. There is no talk of Van Dijk being ready for that one but he is reportedly ahead of schedule.

His updates have offered hope that the Dutchman could return well before the end of the season. That is according to former England international Carlton Palmer.

“From what I’m seeing from him, he’s on the bike now and he’s started to jog a bit,” he told Football Fancast. “If he’s into straight-line running, you would think in the next month to two months [he could be back] – he’s an exceptional athlete and a consummate pro.”

 

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