Bobby Duncan's efforts for a fresh start in Spain were dealt a blow, with his first start for new club Linense ending early as their match against Unionistas was abandoned.
Big things were expected of Duncan, whose cousin is former Reds captain Steven Gerrard, when he joined Liverpool from Manchester City as a youngster. However, he left without a senior appearance to his name, after his then-agent accused those at the club of bullying - accusations which prompted a fierce response from Liverpool.
Duncan was reported to have turned down Manchester United before leaving Anfield for Fiorentina, but the move to Italy didn't go to plan. Now, after a short stint with Derby County, he is waiting for his first 90 minute run-out in the Spanish third tier.
The striker made just one start for Derby in two years at the club. That came as one of nine debutants in an FA Cup defeat at Chorley, when the Rams' first-team squad was hit by a Covid-19 outbreak.
Linense, who are based in La Linea on Spain's south coast, signed Duncan on a three-year deal in July. "The new and talented attacker is a footballer with great projection, with good individual technical quality, offensive combination capacity and final pass, precision with his left foot and a goalscorer," the club said at the time.
After sitting on the bench for several games, Duncan finally made his debut as a substitute in a 1-0 loss at Algeciras on December 7. His first start came four days later against Unionistas, but heavy rainfall saw the game brought to an end inside 20 minutes.
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"Step by step little by little…." Duncan tweeted on December 9, prompting encouragement on social media. Linense will be back in action on December 17 with a match against Rayo Majadahonda.
After a mid-table finish last season, the abandoned game over the weekend leaves Linense just one place above the relegation zone. They are also among the lowest scorers in Spain's third tier with just 12 goals from 15 outings this season.
While Duncan looks to rebuild, his former club Liverpool have been preparing for a return to competitive action at the end of the month. Jurgen Klopp's side were beaten by Lyon in the Dubai Super Cup on Sunday, and will take on AC Milan in a second mid-season friendly in the Mddle East before flying back to England in time to face Manchester City in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
The third round of the competition saw the Reds up against another of Duncan's old clubs, with a rotated Liverpool team beating Derby on penalties after a goalless draw. Caoimhin Kelleher was the hero with three penalty saves, while academy talents Stefan Bejcetic, Melkamu Frauendorf and Layton Stewart all started the game.
