Ireland defender Conor Masterson set to leave Liverpool

Republic of Ireland underage international Conor Masterson will leave Liverpool this summer with his contract set to expire.

The news was first reported by the Liverpool Echo but has since been confirmed to SportsJOE by a source close to Masterson. The Dubliner signed for Liverpool from Lucan United back in 2012 and played for the club's underage sides before training with the first team towards the backend of last season. He was called up to three matchday squads, including a Champions League quarter-final with Manchester City, but was an unused substitute on all three occasions. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised the 20-year-old for his confidence and he said there was no hesitation from him when he was asked to come up to the senior team.

"Conor is a good boy, he plays in our Under-23s and was captain of the Under-18s, and is very confident," Klopp told RTE.

 "I’m not sure if that’s typical for Ireland but when I said to him that he will be in the squad, he said: ‘I’m ready man'."