Where is Bobby Duncan now? Steven Gerrard's cousin who controversially quit Liverpool

Bobby Duncan was making waves at academy level for Liverpool before he left the club in 2019, but what has he gone on to accomplish since leaving the AXA Training Centre - and what's he doing now?

Bobby Duncan might well be one of Liverpool's biggest 'what ifs' in recent history following his Anfield exit in 2019. Of course, being the cousin of an Anfield legend like Steven Gerrard is always going to bring a wealth 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 started his footballing journey at Mossley Hill and St Helens Town before getting his first real academy break with Wigan Athletic in 2010. After a single year on the Latics' books, Duncan was recognised as a real prospect by Manchester City, who nurtured him until 2017, when a reported dispute over contracts left him side-lined and out of action for a year.

He completed a move to his boyhood club of Liverpool for £200,000 in 2018, and the future looked incredibly bright at first. The youngster scored many goals alongside fellow striker Paul Glatzel in the 2018/19 campaign, including a late equaliser in a game against former club City in the FA Youth Cup final, which allowed the side to run out 5-3 winners after extra time and penalties.

In July 2019, Duncan's future brightened further when he appeared in a senior pre-season fixture with Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park under Jurgen Klopp, scoring in the 6-0 win and receiving a wealth of praise for how at home he looked during the fixture. However, within a month, matters on Merseyside had seemingly soured for Duncan.

In August 2019, Duncan's representative at the time, Saif Rubie, took to social media to unleash a host of claims about then Reds sporting director Michael Edwards - with Duncan quote-tweeting the post.

Among the tirades were claims that Liverpool were holding Duncan against his will despite feelings that he would never play for the club again and that the striker was suffering from mental health problems as a consequence 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 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 penned a £1.8million deal with Fiorentina the following month, but he never found his footing 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, albeit making a single appearance for the first team in a 2-0 defeat by Chorley in the FA Cup before moving on to Spanish third-division side Linense. Duncan played seven games in total for the outfit between 2022 and 2023, and it was during his stint with the club that he cleared the air on the drama surrounding his Liverpool exit.

Rubie, who was no longer Duncan's agent, told talkSPORT that he had advised Duncan to remain with Liverpool back in 2019 and that it would be wise not to force an exit. However, according to Duncan, these claims were fabricated. Taking 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 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."

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 as though he is steering himself out of the limelight.