Where is Bobby Duncan now? Steven Gerrard’s cousin who controversially left Liverpool

Bobby Duncan was making waves at academy level for Liverpool before leaving the club in 2019, but what has he achieved since leaving the AXA training center – and what is he doing now?

Bobby Duncan might just be one of Liverpool’s biggest ‘what ifs’ in recent history following his exit from Anfield in 2019. Of course, being the cousin of an Anfield legend like Steven Gerrard will always bring a lot of pressure, but the striker looked to be handling his game incredibly well before parting ways with the Reds in 2019 while still an academy player.

The 23-year-old began his footballing journey at Mossley Hill and St Helens Town before taking his first real academic break with Wigan Athletic in 2010. After just one year on the Latics’ books, Duncan was recognized as a genuine prospect by Manchester City. , which nurtured him until 2017, when a dispute over contracts left him sidelined and out of action for a year.

He moved to his boyhood club Liverpool for £200,000 in 2018, and the future looked incredibly bright at first. The youngster scored numerous goals alongside compatriot Paul Glatzel during the 2018/19 campaign, including a late equalizer in a match against former club City in the FA Youth Cup final, which for the team to win 5-3 after overtime and penalties.

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In July 2019, Duncan’s future brightened further when he appeared in a senior pre-season match with Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park under the management of Jurgen Klopp, scoring in the 6–0 win and receiving much praise for his appearance at home during the match. . However, within a month things on Merseyside had apparently taken a turn for the worse for Duncan.

In August 2019, Duncan’s representative at the time, Saif Rubie, took to social media to make a slew of claims about then-Reds sporting director Michael Edwards – with Duncan quoting the post on Twitter.

Among the tirades were claims that Liverpool were holding Duncan against his will despite feeling he would never play for the club again and that the striker was suffering mental health problems as a result of his treatment.

In response, Liverpool released their own statement, which read: “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 better served by inaccurate speculation, inflammatory statements or public discourse, we will make no further comment.

“We will, however, continue our efforts to work privately with the player to find a solution in the best interest of everyone involved.” Duncan signed a £1.8 million contract with Fiorentina the following month, but he never found his place in Italy – returning to England and signing with Derby County in 2020.

It was with the Rams that Duncan finally broke through as a senior player, although he only made one first-team appearance in a 2–0 defeat to Chorley in the FA Cup before joining the Spanish third division team Linense. Duncan played seven games in total for the team between 2022 and 2023, and it was during his time with the club that he cleared up the drama surrounding his exit from Liverpool.

Rubie, who was no longer Duncan’s agent, told talkSPORT that he advised Duncan to stay at Liverpool in 2019 and would be wise not to force an exit. However, according to Duncan, these claims were fabricated. Speaking to X to share his side of the story in September 2022, Duncan explained: “You and I both know the truth.

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“I didn’t have a decision or an answer. I didn’t speak about this summit once in 4 years because it was my main priority to get my career back on track. But yet you think you I have the right to mention my name in a live radio broadcast.

“I will tell the truth when the time is right. And finally, just to clarify, no advice was given even though you made your decision point blank, publicly. And by that time, the damage was done .”

Fast forward to December 2024, and Duncan is currently a free agent without a club, his Instagram account is set to private, and it appears he’s stepping away from the spotlight.