LIVERPOOL cult hero Oakley Cannonier – famous for setting up Trent Alexander-Arnold’s legendary assist against Barcelona – has left the club after 11 years.
Cannonier, 22, joined the Reds’ academy in 2015 at the age of 11 following a four-year stint within Leeds’ youth ranks.
Liverpool cult hero Oakley Cannonier has left the club after 11 years before ever playing for the first team Credit: Alamy
Cannonier is famous for setting up Trent Alexander-Arnold’s legendary assist against Barcelona Credit: Unknown
The striker competed for the Under-15s all the way up to the Under-21s where he amassed a total of five goals in 44 appearances across all youth teams.
But the ex-England youth international’s biggest moment came when he was 14 in 2019 at Anfield where the Merseysiders took on Barcelona in a crunch Champions League semi-final.
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Cannonier obviously didn’t play but was still present at the ground as he undertook ball boy duties.
And the academy graduate’s presence proved to be crucial as he had the hindsight to quickly throw the ball at Alexander-Arnold, 27, who in turn immediately crossed a corner-kick for Divock Origi to make it 4-0.
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That sealed Liverpool’s incredible comeback – after losing 3-0 in the first leg at the Nou Camp – which in turn paved the way for their sixth European trophy.
After a promising academy career, it looked like the centre-forward would go on to have some more big moments at Anfield.
But a raft of injuries got in the way and the forward was released by the Premier League club this summer before he could ever play for the first team.
Thus, Cannonier signed with Singaporean outfit Hougang United during the summer transfer window.
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The forward, though, issued a touching farewell message to Liverpool fans on Instagram where he added a series of photos of his time at the club since he was a kid.
A photo of him celebrating his beloved team’s Champions League comeback against Barcelona was also included.
Cannonier issued the following statement: I would like to say a huge thank you to Liverpool FC for the last 10 years.
“To all the players and SOME of the staff I’ve had the privilege of working with.
“The memories, experiences and friendships I’ve made will stay with me forever.
“This club has played a huge part in my journey, both as a player and as a person, and I’ll always be grateful for that.
“Even though I never got to make my debut at Anfield at least I’m in a little bit of history of this amazing club! YNWA!”
