Liverpool are known for their ability to nurture young homegrown talents and turn them into world-class stars, but sadly it did not work for Connor Randall.
Throughout the years Liverpool have been the home for young prodigies. The club has a very well-run and advanced youth academy that produces high-quality players.
England has seen many legends of the game like Ian Callaghan, Phil Thompson, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler, and Michael Owen come out as academy graduates.
Often called the ‘Scouse Pirlo’, Trent Alexander-Arnold has been one of the finest talents of this generation to come out of the academy in recent years.
And current players like Curtis Jones and Rhys Williams have also come out of the Reds’ youth academy.
And since taking charge back in 2015, Jurgen Klopp has also very successfully incorporated young players and helped them grow.
This routine has been one of the driving forces for the club to win major titles in recent years.
But things do not quite work out for everyone everytime. One of them was Connor Randall who graduated from the club’s academy.
He made 8 senior appearances for the club across all competitions. However, he had to leave the club after being there for almost 18 years in 2019.
What went wrong with Connor Randall and Liverpool?
Randall played his last game for the Anfield giants in a FA Cup clash between Liverpool and Wolves.
The Merseysiders unfortunately lost the match and he was taken off by Klopp as they trailed 2-0 at halftime. While speaking about the match on Football Journeys Podcast back in December 2020, he said,
“I can remember it clear as day, going into the changing room and getting taken off. I just stood in the shower, I think the game was on in the changes on the telly and I felt ashamed.
I felt embarrassed, I felt like [I was] letting everyone down and things like that. All my mates who’d come to watch me, a few of my mates, my family, they were upstairs and obviously you [usually] go and speak to them and whatever.
I remember just going straight to the car. I was sat in the back of the car, putting my hood up and hiding. Not that that makes any difference, but at the time that’s the way I felt.
I just wanted to go home, get in the house and stay in the house. I can remember it clearly that night. My sister, my little nephew and that came round and when they left I just went up to bed and tried to go to sleep, sort of just shut off from everything.”
Although Connor Randoll and his career at Liverpool did not work out, he made a move to Bulgarian club Arda Kardzhali.
And in 2020 he made a permanent move to his current club Scottish first-tier side Ross County FC.
An ardent football fan and a proud Red. I take immense pleasure in analyzing the intricacies of the game.
