Arne Slot, Liverpool’s manager, continues to streamline his squad as Harvey Blair, once hailed as a “real talent” by Jurgen Klopp, is on the verge of leaving the club. The 20-year-old forward is expected to join Championship side Portsmouth in a deal valued at £300,000.
A Summer of Change at Liverpool
Liverpool has been active in the transfer market this summer, focusing on offloading players to trim the squad. With 11 players already sold or released, Blair’s departure will soon make it 12. Recently, Sepp van den Berg moved to Brentford in a £25 million deal, despite interest from Bayer Leverkusen. Now, Blair is set to follow suit by moving to Portsmouth.
Blair’s Journey at Liverpool
Blair joined Liverpool’s youth academy as an Under-12 player from Manchester United. Despite showing promise, his progress was hampered by injuries. However, he caught the eye of Jurgen Klopp, who handed him his senior debut in the Carabao Cup against Preston North End in October 2021. Blair played 55 minutes in that match, which turned out to be his only competitive first-team appearance for the Reds.
After the game, Klopp praised Blair’s potential, saying, “Harvey is a real talent, but offensive players need passes and the right moments. You can’t expect in the first game against a challenging team that he outplays four players and then puts the ball in the far corner.”
A New Chapter at Portsmouth
Blair’s move to Portsmouth marks a significant step in his career. He had featured in all three of Liverpool’s pre-season matches in America this summer but found it challenging to secure first-team opportunities due to the depth of talent in Liverpool’s attacking lineup. At Portsmouth, Blair will be joining a team eager to make its mark in the Championship. The club has started the season with two draws—3-3 against Leeds and 0-0 against Luton Town.
For Blair, this transfer represents a fresh start and the chance to play more regular first-team football. As he prepares to complete his move, Blair will be looking to make a significant impact at Portsmouth and fulfill the potential that Klopp and others saw in him during his time at Liverpool.
