Potential loser may be grounded (8)
I believe the answer is:
underdog
'potential loser' is the definition.
'underdog' can be an answer for 'loser' (underdog is a kind of loser). I am not sure about the 'potential' bit.
'may be grounded' is the wordplay.
'may be' indicates anagramming the letters.
'grounded' anagrammed gives 'UNDERDOG'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for underdog that I've seen before include "One of low status" , "One thought unlikely to win" , "One with little status" , "one not expected to win" , "Least favoured competitor" .)