Such is the modern football world, and especially in the Premier League, players come and go. It’s part and parcel of the beautiful game – but there are some players who dedicate a sizeable chunk of their playing days to one club in particular.

Take Liverpool and England icon Steven Gerrard as the perfect example. Despite interest from other clubs – Manchester United and Chelsea, most notably – the Scouser remained true to his roots and only left when he was no longer up to scratch.

So when his cousin, Bobby Duncan, emerged as one to watch in 2018, fans of an Anfield persuasion were under the impression they had a roaring superstar on their hands and that he’d spend the coming years perfecting his craft on Merseyside.

That, however, wasn’t the case. Duncan, a centre-forward by trade, left in 2019 under unusual circumstances. But what is Gerrard’s family member up to nowadays, and did he fulfil his promise elsewhere after his well-documented departure?

Duncan’s ‘What If’ Story at Liverpool

Being related to Gerrard, who is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in Premier League history, was always going to bring a wealth of pressure on the young and tender shoulders of Duncan when he began to make waves in the academy set-up.

Now 25, he began his career at Mossley Hill and St Helens before being spotted by Wigan Athletic in 2010 but, after just one year on the Latics’ books, transferred to Manchester City. He then made the high-profile jump to Liverpool in 2018.

Duncan put pen to paper on a three-year professional contract in 2018 and was instrumental to the club’s FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2018/19, evidenced by notching a late equaliser in their 5-3 final win against his former club Manchester City.

Whiston-born Duncan cost his boyhood club £200,000 – and initially, it looked to be a shrewd investment as he scored plenty alongside Paul Glatzel in the 2018/19 campaign. In 26 outings for Liverpool’s Under-18s, he struck 23 times.

The Striker’s Tumultuous Anfield Exit

Within a month, however, things took a turn for the worse, and Duncan was pushing for a move away from the red half of Merseyside. The youngster’s agent, Saif Rubie, took to social media to lambast the Reds’ sporting director, Michael Edwards.

Rubie, who is no longer associated with Duncan, accused Liverpool of ‘bullying’ and ‘destroying his life’ by not allowing him to move on to pastures new. He said: “This is not really dignified behaviour from a club with the rich history of Liverpool and one who one of their greatest ever players, Steven Gerrard, happens to be Bobby’s cousin.

"It’s a sad state of affairs that a club such as Liverpool can be allowed to get away with mentally bullying and destroying the life of a young man such as Bobby."

In response to the accusations, Liverpool took a stand by stating: "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’s Career Post-Liverpool Plateaued

There was no chance of Duncan remaining on the books of Liverpool following the saga – and in its aftermath, he took a leap of faith to join Serie A side Fiorentina – a club he failed to pull up trees for – for a lowly fee of £1.8 million in 2019.

He wanted to play first-team football in Italy but, by the club’s higher-ups, wasn’t deemed ready to make that jump up to senior proceedings. Ultimately returning to England in 2020 by joining Derby County, he yet again struggled.

Duncan eventually made his senior debut with Derby, a solitary appearance in a 2-0 FA Cup loss to Chorley, before joining Linense in Spain’s third tier. During his seven-game stay in Spain, the line-leader addressed the Liverpool-centric controversy.

His former agent, Rubie, claimed on talkSPORT that he had advised, contrary to reports, the promising centre forward to remain at Anfield and not force a move. However, Duncan disputed this, stating on X (formerly Twitter) in September 2022:

"You and I both know the truth. I didn't have a decision nor say. Not once have I spoken upon this topic 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."

Duncan continued: "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."

As of late 2026, Duncan is no longer playing by virtue of being without an employer. Despite his early years of promise, he failed to make the cut at Anfield, struggled post-Liverpool and is now avoiding the spotlight, as evidenced by his private Instagram account.