Liverpool youngster says James Maddison comparisons are ‘very nice’
Liverpool youngster Leighton Clarkson has praised Leicester City midfielder James Maddison.
Somewhat surprisingly, comparisons appear to have been made between the two players of late. Other than the fact that they’ve both played for Aberdeen, we wouldn’t say there’s a great deal of simlarity.
But nevertheless, Clarkson has told the Liverpool Echo that he’s flattered by comparisons to the ‘world-class’ Maddison.
“I didn’t know too much about him being here when I came up here to be fair. I saw his free-kick (vs Rangers) the day before I scored my free-kick, which is a bit ironic,” said the Liverpool midfielder.
“He’s a world-class player so to get comparisons to him are very nice. I’m obviously not at that level yet, but that’s what I’m striving to be. I’ll just keep working hard and hopefully I can do as well as him.”
Clarkson looking to match Maddison
Fair play to Clarkson for earning himself some lofty comparisons here. It just shows how good he has been during his spell in Scotland.
Of course, it doesn’t come from nowhere. Maddison spent half a season at Aberdeen in 2017. Then more or less the same age as Clarkson is now – twenty-one – he played 17 times for the Dons, scoring twice.
To Clarkson’s credit, he has already bettered those numbers. In the same amount of games, the Reds man has bagged twice as many goals.
But, really, that’s where the similarities end. Since then, Maddison has gone on to become one of the most accomplished English midfielders around.
Of course, it doesn’t come from nowhere. Maddison spent half a season at Aberdeen in 2017. Then more or less the same age as Clarkson is now – twenty-one – he played 17 times for the Dons, scoring twice.
To Clarkson’s credit, he has already bettered those numbers. In the same amount of games, the Reds man has bagged twice as many goals.
But, really, that’s where the similarities end. Since then, Maddison has gone on to become one of the most accomplished English midfielders around.
His performances for Leicester have reportedly earned him a £60m price-tag [The Daily Mail]. It has also led to calls that Liverpool are tracking him in a bid to spruce up their midfield.
As of now that doesn’t look at all likely to happen, though. In fact, there’s probably more chance of Clarkson becoming a regular at Liverpool. Judging from some of Clarkson’s comments in today’s interview with the Echo, he still thinks that’s a possibility.
We’d be less confident of that, but it’s still brilliant to see him kickstart his career in this way. After a disappointing spell with Blackburn Rovers last season he could have gone into his shell. Instead, he’s emerged better than ever.
Maddison was still a Championship player during his spell at Aberdeen. Clarkson has a leg-up on him in that sense. If he can develop in a similar way to the Leicester man, Liverpool will be delighted.
