The Englishman, who made his Champions League debut in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven, plays as a right back but can also slot in at centre half.
He would provide competition with Angel Rangel at full back as Matty Collins’ chances of first team football look to be decreasing after a less than impressive performance against Watford.
Former Reds’ reserve team manager Gary Ablett described Darby as ‘Mr. Consistency’, with ‘Pool fans labelling him as ‘one to watch’.
It’s thought that the deal would be a loan until January with an option to extend until the end of the current campaign.
Steve Hunter, who commentates on all Liverpool’s U-18 fixtures said this about Darby: “(He) is one of the most consistent performers that Liverpool have ever had in their reserve team.
“The likeable Scouser never has a bad game and I firmly believe he wouldn’t let anyone down if he was given a chance at right-back. He is an astute reader of the game, can get forward to good effect as well as being solid in defence.
“In fact, I have never seen a left-winger give him a real tough time, and his man-of-the-match display against Aston Villa in the play-off final at Anfield was a real lionheart captain’s performance.
“Darby is dubbed the ‘steady Eddie’ of the reserve team and I know Gary Ablett rates him highly. Ablett gave him the reserve team captaincy this term and he ended the campaign lifting three trophies.
“He may not get the attention the likes of Damien Plessis and Krisztian Nemeth get, but if you were to ask any of his teammates, they would say you need the Stephen Darbys of this world in your team.
“He has had a little taste of first-team experience having been on the bench away at Galatasaray in the 2006-2007 season but he has never forgotten his Academy roots. After the four-hour return flight from Istanbul he was driven down to the Hawthorns and played the full game, including extra-time, to help the youth team through to the fourth round.”
This article first appeared on JACKARMY.net.