Steven Gerrard's cousin Bobby Duncan now after quitting Liverpool and leaving UK

Bobby Duncan was once regarded as one of Liverpool's most exciting young talents, but where is Steven Gerrard's cousin now?

Steven Gerrard's cousin Bobby Duncan is still searching for a club seven years after leaving Liverpool in 2019. The former forward could be seen as a significant 'what if' for the Reds after starting out as a promising young talent.

Being Gerrard's relative inevitably brought enormous pressure, but Duncan appeared capable of handling the spotlight while coming through the youth ranks. The 24-year-old started his footballing journey at Mossley Hill and St Helens Town before joining the Wigan Athletic academy in 2010.

He was subsequently recruited by Manchester City a year later and remained with Liverpool's rivals until 2017. An alleged dispute over contracts kept him sidelined for a year before his switch to Anfield materialised.

Duncan signed for his boyhood club for £200,000 in 2018, and the future looked bright for the youngster. He scored regularly alongside fellow striker Paul Glatzel throughout the 2018/19 season, including a crucial late equaliser in the FA Youth Cup final against Manchester City, which enabled the Reds to triumph on penalties.

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During pre-season in 2019, his Liverpool career appeared to be hitting its stride when he featured against Tranmere Rovers with the senior team. The youngster netted in a 6-0 victory under Jurgen Klopp and was commended for how comfortable he looked on the pitch.

But within just a month, matters had deteriorated dramatically for Duncan. His representative at the time, Saif Rubie, posted a series of accusations on social media targeting Liverpool's then-sporting director, Michael Edwards.

Duncan quote-tweeted the post, which alleged that he was being detained against his wishes by the club and felt he would never wear a Liverpool shirt again. These claims also suggested that the youngster was experiencing mental health difficulties as a consequence.

Liverpool issued a statement in response, 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 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."

Duncan secured a £1.8million transfer to Fiorentina before the summer concluded, but failed to adapt in Italy. He subsequently returned to sign for Derby County the following year.

It was with the Rams that the forward finally made his senior breakthrough, resulting in just one appearance in a 2-0 defeat by Chorley in the FA Cup. He later joined Spanish third-tier outfit Linese and featured in seven matches between 2022 and 2023.

Duncan's former agent Rubie told talkSPORT that he urged Duncan to remain at Liverpool in 2019 and not to push for a move away. However, it was around this period that the striker spoke out and disputed these claims.

Taking to social media in September 2022 to set the record straight, Duncan said: "You and I both know the truth. I didn't have a decision nor say. Not once have I spoken upon [sic] this top[ic] 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."

Currently, Duncan remains a free agent without a club and last featured in April 2023.

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