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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Mark Wakefield

Bobby Duncan breaks silence on Liverpool exit in response to former agent Saif Rubie

Former Liverpool striker Bobby Duncan has strongly criticised Saif Rubie following his former agent's appearance on radio.

Rubie appeared on Talksport on Monday afternoon and spoke about Duncan’s exit from Anfield. Duncan courted controversy back in August 2020 when an apparent desire to leave Liverpool was made public in an incendiary social media post from then agent Rubie, who took a swipe Michael Edwards and claimed the player had "suffered some deep mental health issues with all the stress the club has put him under" after the Reds turned down an initial approach from Fiorentina.

Liverpool, who have always strongly denied the allegations, ultimately reached an agreement with the Italian side a few days later for a £1.8million fee with a 20% sell-on clause included in the terms. But just a matter of months after the move, Duncan dumped Rubie and moved to German SportsTotal agency.

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However, Duncan failed to make an impact in Serie A, later moving to Derby County in 2020, where he made just one senior appearance. He is now in the Spanish third tier after joining Real Balompedica Linense in the summer.

Rubie claimed on TalkSport that he actually advised Duncan to remain at Liverpool and not force a move away. The former Liverpool striker has since responded on social media to Rubie’s comments.

“You and I both know the truth,” Duncan wrote on Twitter.

“I didn’t have a decision nor say...

“Not once have I spoken upon this top in “4 years” as it’s been my main priority to get my career back on track. But, yet you think you have the right to mention my name on a live radio show.

“The truth will be told by myself when the time is right...

“And lastly, just to clarify, there was no advising given as you point blank made your mind up, publicly.

“And by then the damage had been done.”

Back in August 2019, Liverpool released a statement on the allegations from Rubie, which said: "Liverpool Football Club is aware of and disappointed by the unattributed comments and unfounded allegations that have been made in the media regarding one of our players.

"As the interests of the player in question are not best served by either inaccurate speculation, inflammatory statements or public discourse, we will be making no further comment. We will, however, continue our efforts to work privately with the player to find resolution in the best interests of all involved."

The ECHO has contacted Rubie's firm for a comment.

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