Liverpool have taken 17 year old Joaquín Fernández on a 10-day trial from La Liga side Almeria, Scott Taylor provides the lowdown on the Spaniard.
The aspect that will intrigue most Liverpool fans is that he plays in a defensive midfield position, a position that the club has expressed the desire to strengthen and the addition of Joaquín will strengthen the squad in years to come, that’s if the Reds decide to sign him permanently.
The midfielder currently plays for Almeria B, but is currently suspended for the Spanish side, so Liverpool saw his suspension as a blessing in disguise and gave him a trial now, as he will inevitably miss his side’s next game against Albacete.
Joaquín was always due to have a trial with Liverpool as it was part of a clause that saw Under 21 winger Suso go in the other direction and join Almeria on loan for the duration of the 2013/14 season, but the club and Joaquín has decided that this period of time will be the best time to come to Melwood. This is because he will be able to keep his fitness up and more discreetly he will be able to train in very cold weather conditions, something that is rare in his home nation which may help him develop physically.
Joaquín is currently training with the Under 18s at the academy in Kirkby, but will be under the watchful eye of first team manager Brendan Rodgers, as him and Under 18 manager Neil Critchley will together make a decision on whether to permanently sign the promising youngster or whether it is in the best wishes of the club not to sign him.
Having Spanish academy players Sergi Canos and Pedro Chirivella training with him will help him settle in better, as he has played alongside them for both Spain at Under 16s and Under 17s level.
He has also trained with Suso at Almeria which was also good experience for him before coming to his trial at Liverpool. Although the Reds are interested in Joaquín, Almeria will continue to plan their future with him due to him attending training sessions with the first team.
For more academy updates, be sure to visit my blog and follow me on Twitter @ScottTaylorUK.
Fan Comments