Liverpool once had their own JJ Gabriel who Steven Gerrard will not want to be reminded of

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.

Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel has been in the headlines this week after demanding to leave the club at the age of only 15.The teenager has long been seen as one of the biggest prospects in the English game, but just weeks before his 16th birthday, he has made it clear that he is willing to begin his career elsewhere, requesting that United terminate his contract.Quite where the saga ends up remains to be seen, but it is another case of young players getting above their station and trying to move too quickly in their careers. Liverpool are not immune to this kind of situation, and after publicly warning Gabriel about his choices while appearing on TNT Sports on Saturday, Steven Gerrard may be drawing on the experience of his cousin Bobby Duncan, who threw away a promising career with the Reds in 2019.

Gabriel’s story is another example of that.Duncan was never at that level, but it was clear that he had a chance of breaking through into Jurgen Klopp’s first-team ahead of the 2019/20 campaign. Clearly filling his client’s head with ideas above his station, the agent pushed for first-team football or a move away, which ultimately led to Duncan joining Fiorentina.Gerrard may well have been recalling his cousin’s experience with Rubie when he referenced ‘outside influences’ who could be driving Gabriel’s decision to try and cut ties with United.

“These talents, they have parents, they have agents, outside influences that force and rush too soon, and it can affect a kid’s career.”The decision to leave Liverpool ultimately cost Duncan. His career as a footballer is now a distant memory at the age of only 25.Their situations are not quite the same, and Gabriel will likely go on to have a good career in the game whether he decides to stay at United or not.