Liverpool defender Ben Davies has joined Sky Bet Championship side Sheffield United on loan for the 2021/22 season, the Reds have confirmed.
The 26-year-old joined the Merseyside club in a permanent move from Preston North End in February but failed to make a single appearance last term.
Davies will link up with Sheff Utd ahead of their push for promotion this season.
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He becomes Slavisa Jokanovic’s first signing since becoming Blades boss in May.
With Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez returning to full fitness, as well as the signing of Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig, Davies’ chances of featuring under Jurgen Klopp this season looked extremely thin.
This makes the transfer a good deal for both parties with regular playing time a necessity for the centre-back.
Liverpool started off their Premier League campaign in fine fashion, defeating Norwich City 3-0 at Carrow Road on Saturday.
“We had to find our way in the game and scored three really nice goals because we forced them. It’s a good start,” Klopp told the BBC after the win.
“The boys are fit but you have to get used to the feeling again, that it’s really exhausting but you can [still] go. You have to get over that point in the game, and we did, and hopefully next week we’ll be fresher for longer.
“It’s great to see the fans back and I hope that Norwich celebrated as well because they had an exceptional season. Their pre-season has not been easy [due to Covid-19 protocols], and facing us is not too easy, but we were really professional.
“We were not here to show the most exciting football, just to get the basis for the new season, and we did. Football is back.”
Van Dijk made his first competitive start since October last year after he injured his ACL against Everton.
Speaking to Sky Sports, van Dijk – who has recently signed a new contract at Anfield – reflected on his first game back: “It’s amazing. It was a tough game,” he said.
“But to be back out there helping the boys… I just hope to continue that and see what it brings. I need games but the manager knows it, I know it. It’s a good start and now we have time to recover for next week.”