![](https://static.standard.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2020/01/06/10/jurgenklopp0601a.jpg)
Brentford have confirmed that academy striker Joe Hardy has completed a permanent move to Liverpool.
The 21-year-old, who joined the Bees from Manchester City in 2016, has returned to the top-flight after securing a switch to Anfield.
Hardy made his first appearance for his new club on Sunday, featuring for the Under-23s as they lost 1-0 to his former side City.
He is expected to be a regular part of the Reds’ U23 setup under Neil Critchley for the remainder of the season.
In confirming the move, Brentford B head coach Neil MacFarlane said: "Joe has been here for a number of years and last year he had a pretty fruitful season in terms of being the top goalscorer and playing a number of games.
"He's perhaps come to the end of his time with the club in terms of the strategy, and to go to a club the size of Liverpool can only be good for him.
"The club are flying at the moment, they're European champions, and potential Premier League winners, so being in and around that environment can only be good for Joe.
"He's certainly going from an environment here that has prepared him properly.
"We've said it in recent months, that not all of our players will go on to play for Brentford's first team, but what we want to do is give them a career and this is a step forward in Joe's career and his mind to go to Liverpool and compete with the Under-23 group and see where it takes him."