Portsmouth manager won’t stand in Sam Magri’s way if Liverpool want to sign him after trial

Feb 21 2012 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo

PORTSMOUTH boss Michael Appleton says the club won’t stand in Sam Magri’s way if Liverpool want to buy the talented youngster.

The 17-year-old defender is spending this week on trial with the Reds and he has made the trip with his manager’s blessing.

“Sam is going to go to Liverpool for a week to train with them and let them have a look at him,” Appleton said.

“His agent rang me on Friday night and asked if there was a possibility and I said ‘yes’. I was quite happy. I don’t want to step in and stop somebody having an opportunity like that.

“Whether anything comes of it, who knows, but it is a good opportunity for him. You want to keep your younger players around, but when a club like Liverpool come in you have to look at it.

“At the end of the day, though, we won’t be letting him go without it being worthwhile to the football club as well.

“I don’t want to stand in the way of a lad having an opportunity of joining a Premier League club.”