STEVENAGE, ENGLAND - Monday, September 19, 2016: Liverpool's Brooks Lennon celebrates scoring the sixth goal against Tottenham Hotspur during the FA Premier League 2 Under-23 match at Broadhall. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool U23s forward Brooks Lennon linked with return to America

Liverpool Under-23s forward Brooks Lennon could be set to return to his former club, MLS side Real Salt Lake, this year.

Lennon joined the Reds from the American side in 2015, after training with the Reds at intervals from 2013, and has recently established himself as a mainstay for the U23s.

This season, he has linked up with the likes of Harry Wilson and Ben Woodburn under first Michael Beale, and more recently Mike Garrity.

But with no route to the first team clear, despite his impressive displays in front of goal this season—including two goals in a 4-1 friendly win at home to Barnet on Tuesday—he could be set to leave.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, this may see him rejoin Real Salt Lake, though the terms of a possible deal, and when it would go through, are unclear.

They cite “league sources,” and that the MLS side “declined comment on any potential move.”

However, a move back to America would be a feasible one for Lennon, if his prospects at Liverpool are fading—and it could see him follow his compatriot, Marc Pelosi.

Pelosi spent four years with the Reds after joining from De Anza Force in 2011, but left to join MLS’ San Jose Earthquakes in 2015.

MOTSPUR PARK, ENGLAND - Sunday, October 26, 2014: Liverpool's Marc Pelosi in action against Fulham during the Under 21 FA Premier League match at Motspur Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The German-born US under-23 international played a key role in convincing Lennon to move to Merseyside, and will be disappointed to see his spell with the Reds head down the same path.

Lennon has performed to a high standard since joining Liverpool, scoring regularly for the club’s academy sides and developing his game astutely.

In April, Lennon revealed he was targeting a first-team debut in 2016/17, but while Woodburn, Wilson and even youngsters such as Yan Dhanda and Rhian Brewster have trained under Klopp at Melwood, he has remained rooted at Kirkby.

While he still has time on his side at 19, he is already two years older than Woodburn, and his opportunities are likely to be limited, given Klopp’s approach to rotation so far.

There are only three US natives currently playing at first-team level in the Premier League: Sunderland‘s Lynden Gooch, Stoke City‘s Geoff Cameron and Middlesbrough‘s Brad Guzan.

Brad Friedel is the only American to play for Liverpool in the English top flight, and this does not look likely to change any time soon.

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