LONDON, ENGLAND - Friday, August 26, 2016: Liverpool's Connor Randall in action against Arsenal during the FA Premier League 2 Under-23 match at the Emirates Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Connor Randall set for Barnsley loan

Connor Randall, who was a surprise inclusion in Liverpool’s team against Wolves on Saturday, is set for a loan move to Championship side Barnsley for the rest of the season.

The 21-year-old right back hadn’t appeared for the first-team this season until Saturday, when Jurgen Klopp opted not to risk teenager Trent Alexander-Arnold in case Nathaniel Clyne isn’t fit to return against Chelsea on Tuesday.

Alexander-Arnold has overtaken Randall in Klopp’s thoughts at right-back this season and Randall had even been struggling to get a game for the Reds’ under-23s in the first half of the season until Alexander-Arnold became a more permanent fixture at Melwood.

Randall therefore was always expected to head out on loan this month and is now reported to be heading to Yorkshire as a replacement for James Bree who joined Aston Villa last week.

At Oakwell he’ll join up with fellow Liverpool loanee Ryan Kent, who is enjoying a productive season with the Tykes.

Randall’s first appearance of the season on Saturday lasted only 45 minutes after a poor first-half showing.

He was linked with a loan move to Championship side Preston North End in the summer, but at the time Klopp kept him at the club with so few backup to Clyne at right-back.

Now, with Alexander-Arnold firmly Clyne’s deputy, Randall is free to find first-team football away from Anfield.

He’ll be the third under-23s player to head out on loan this month, with Pedro Chirivella heading to Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands, and Cameron Brannagan joining League One side Fleetwood Town last week.

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