Ireland U21 international to leave Liverpool

Republic of Ireland under-19 defender Conor Masterson is to leave Liverpool this summer. The Leixlip-raised centre-half is out of contract next month, and the Liverpool Echo say he wants to pursuit of a fresh challenge.

Masterson is 21 in September, and despite being on the fringes of the first team for the past couple of years has failed to make a breakthrough. He was an unused substitute on three occasions, including a night on the bench for their Champions League quarter final first leg against Manchester City last year.

Asked about Masterson's rise through the ranks, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp told RTE, "Conor is a good boy, he plays in our Under-23s and was captain of the Under-18s, and is very confident.

The Leixlip-educated centre-half joined Liverpool from Lucan United in 2012, joining the club's Academy in 2014. However, his past year has been blighted by injury. Masterson made just a handful of appearances for Liverpool's Under-23s this season.

While his club career may have faltered somewhat, he is clearly highly thought of by Republic of Ireland under-21 boss Stephen Kenny. Masterson was named in Kenny's first starting XI for March's friendly win over Luxembourg.