The Liverpool defender is a target for Cardiff, while a number of other clubs are thought to be keen
Cardiff City are pushing to bring Liverpool left-back Calum Scanlon to the Welsh capital before Monday’s 7pm deadline as they bid to strengthen competition for Joel Bagan.
Brian Barry-Murphy has publicly urged caution over any late business, warning there are “no guarantees” of new arrivals, but it is understood the Bluebirds are hopeful of getting a deal for the 20-year-old over the line.
If they do, what exactly would they be getting?
Scanlon is a product of both Birmingham City and then Liverpool’s academy who broke into Jurgen Klopp’s first-team setup during the 2023/24 season, featuring in the Europa League and earning a place in matchday squads during an injury-hit campaign at Anfield. But since then, opportunities have dried up.
“He has not featured at all under Arne Slot,” Liverpool Echo correspondent Paul Gorst explains. “It’s been nearly two years since he was in a match-day squad, when he was on the bench against Southampton in the FA Cup at a time when there were about a dozen injuries.”
For a young full-back trying to build momentum, it has been a frustrating spell. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community.
Quick, aggressive and attack-minded
From a stylistic perspective, Gorst describes Scanlon as “a quick and aggressive left-sided player who is perhaps best suited to a wing-back position.”
That attacking instinct is echoed by Will Scott, Millwall reporter for NewsAtDen, who watched Scanlon closely during his injury-hit loan spell in the Championship last season.
“Callum Scanlon is a very attacking, direct left-back who has got a lot of intent to get down the pitch,” Scott says. “He’s both-footed, so he can cut in and take a shot, or overlap and put balls into the box. He is very attack-minded.
“He can play as a left winger as well. He is one of those who have benefitted from the revolution of full-backs over the last decade.”
Scott even draws a comparison with Liverpool’s long-time left-back.
“He is following in the footsteps of Andy Robertson in terms of bombing up and down the wing and really getting up there,” he added.
That profile, dynamic, forward-thinking, comfortable high up the pitch, might offer Barry-Murphy a different dimension at left-back when compared to the more traditional, but no less impressive, Bagan.
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A loan derailed by injury
Scanlon’s spell at Millwall, though, was ultimately defined by misfortune rather than impact.
He played just 167 minutes in total. After making a brief appearance, he suffered a back fracture and returned to Liverpool for treatment. Upon his comeback, he showed flashes of quality, including a goal against Cardiff that some Bluebirds supporters may recall, before a hamstring injury at Luton ended his season prematurely.
“I felt for him,” Scott says. “He had just come to a Championship club and played 167 minutes. It’s sad for a young footballer.”
Millwall were forced back into the market for another left-back as a result, and Scanlon was left without the platform he needed to kick on.
For Liverpool, that context is key in sanctioning another temporary move.
“After such a tough period injury-wise, I think Liverpool will simply be looking for him to build up his fitness levels and his experience,” Gorst says. “Calum is probably at a place in his career where he is ready for senior action and is past the under-21 level now.
“It just didn’t work at Millwall because of injuries.”
What is Liverpool’s long-term plan?
Any suggestion that this loan is about forcing his way into Arne Slot’s immediate thinking may be optimistic.
With £40million summer signing Milos Kerkez and established Scotland captain Robertson currently ahead of him, the pathway is far from clear.
“I’m not sure if he will be able to force his way into Slot’s plans just yet,” Gorst admits. “It would have to be a frankly sensational loan deal for that to happen.”
If Robertson departs in the near future, Liverpool may look for an experienced deputy to Kerkez rather than promoting Scanlon straight into contention. This loan, then, is about minutes. Rhythm. Proving durability.
“Just about minutes and experience and take it from there,” Gorst adds. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.
Strengths and areas to improve
For Cardiff supporters, if a deal is done, they can expect pace, aggression, technical ability and a willingness to take risks in the final third.
Scott highlights his “attacking willingness and his speed” as standout traits. “He was dynamic and willing to put balls into the box. He is a good ball striker and is accurate, too.”
He is also regarded as grounded and driven, having worked with a private coach to improve his acceleration and power, and was highly thought of in England youth circles.
However, there are areas still in development.
“His tracking back and not leaving defenders isolated might be something for him to work on,” Scott notes. “His end product being a consistent threat and decision-making in the final third might just need some work.”
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