Liverpool complete first piece of business during January transfer window

Liverpool have allowed Tony Gallacher to depart for St Johnstone.

The Reds under-23s left-back moves to the Scottish club on a permanent basis in a bid to kick-start his senior career.

Background

Gallacher has made just one first-team appearance at Anfield since arriving from Falkirk for an undisclosed fe in 2018.

That was against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup quarter final in December 2019 when Jurgen Klopp’s squad were at the Club World Cup in Qatar.

Gallacher, 22, enjoyed a successful loan at MLS side Toronto during the final months of 2020.

He was also linked with a switch to League One promotion hopefuls Sunderland in the summer.

This season, he has made seven appearances for the under-23s and two outings for the under-21s in the Papa John’s Trophy.

But with his pathway blocked at Liverpool - with Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas and fellow youngster Owen Beck ahead in the pecking order - he returns north of the border with St Johnstone.

What’s been said

Gallacher told the club’s website: “I’m really excited about my move to St Johnstone and can’t wait to get started.

“I had a great time at Liverpool and I’d like to thank everyone there for looking after me and helping me to improve as a footballer and teach me so many good habits.

“I feel very lucky to have been part of a massive football club with so many wonderful professionals and people. It was an incredible education.

“But I felt the time was right to look for first-team football and an exciting opportunity presented itself at St Johnstone.”