PERFECT PLACE FOR TALENT POOL

LUCA STEPHENSON reckons Liverpool see the obvious advantage of sending their young talent on loan to the Premiership.

- SCOTT BURNS

The versatile defender is the latest of the rookie Reds to head north, where he is currently impressing with high-flying Dundee United.

It is nothing new to the Anfield club who have sent the likes of Danny Ward and Leighton Clarkson up to Aberdeen, while Owen Beck had success on the other side of the road at Dundee last season.

Stephenson spent the last campaign at Barrow but, as soon as he returned, Pool chiefs started making plans for him to head to Scotland.

He explained: "I went back to Liverpool at the end of last year and did a bit of a loan review.

"It was in the front of the club's mind that my next step was to come up here. I think they'd seen how well Leighton had done during his loan, Owen obviously came up here too.

"They've done well and got in the spotlight and Liverpool have seen first-hand how good this league can be for young players.