That ball boy is doing alright for himself.
(From the athletic)
When Oakley Cannonier signed his first professional contract with Liverpool at the start of July it made headlines in England and Spain.
You might be wondering why Spanish dailies such as Marca were so keen to report on a Liverpool academy prospect signing a three-year deal with the club. It is not the done thing. But with Cannonier it is different.
The Yorkshire-born forward was the architect of one of Anfield’s most iconic goals — and since then the headlines have followed his career along. It was Cannonier’s quick throw to
Trent Alexander-Arnold that helped the right-back catch Barcelona’s defence napping. Alexander-Arnold’s speedy corner zipped into the box and was lifted in by Divock Origi.
It was the goal that capped off a historic 4-0 comeback and booked Liverpool’s place in the 2019
Champions Leaguefinal.
Cannonier had turned 15 the day before the game and was situated under the Kop near to the corner flag. The ball boys had been instructed by Liverpool coaching staff to give the ball back as quickly as possible with Jurgen Klopp’s side needing to score three or more to right the wrongs of the 3-0 defeat in the first leg. Nobody could have foreseen the impact that single instruction would yield — none more so than on the young life of the boy from Leeds. Cannonier became a household name overnight. Interview requests poured in, his name trended on social media as journalists knocked at his house.
His unofficial pre-assist will never be forgotten by Liverpool fans nor by Cannonier himself. Those close to the player say he is proud to have made such a vital contribution to a goal that defied all and put Liverpool on the road to a sixth European Cup. Now aged 17, the attacker is happy to have played his part but that moment has gone. He wants to be remembered for more. His recent hat-trick for Liverpool Under-18s in their 3-0 win over Chester in pre-season demonstrates not just the skill of this emerging talent but where his focus is being grappled.
Cannonier played as a No 9 against Chester but is a player who can play across the front line, particularly on the left wing as well as in a deeper-lying No 10 role. Sources tell
The Athletic his slight frame, low centre of gravity, nifty feet and deadly finish have drawn comparisons to Philippe Coutinho from club staff. His speed with the ball and pace over short distances are other standout attributes.
Unfortunately for Cannonier, injuries derailed his 2020-21 campaign. An ankle injury kept him out for close to four months before a hamstring injury and subsequent surgery ended his season indefinitely. He was forced to watch on as his under-18s team-mates reached the final of the FA Youth Cup. Now fully fit heading into the new campaign, the objectives for Cannonier are clear. He needs to stay injury-free, get as many minutes on the pitch and score as much as possible. By Christmas, it is hoped Cannonier will be pushing for a place in the under-23s set-up just as fellow striker and his close friend Layton Stewart did last December.
Cannonier is not the only one fully committed to realising his dream of becoming a first-team Liverpool player. His mum relocated from Yorkshire to Kirkby with her three sons to be close to the academy. All big Liverpool fans, it would mean the world to them to watch Cannonier work his way up to the top. His younger brothers share his hopes, with all three Cannoniers on the academy’s books. The youngest two are said to have developed Scouse twangs but their big brother has retained his original accent — Leeds through and through.
The Athletic understands
Leeds United were among one of several clubs to have made enquiries regarding Cannonier before he signed his first professional deal. But the Liverpool fan, who has captained England Under-16s in the past, has only one club in mind.
Academy manager Alex Inglethorpe and the view of the club’s youth coaching staff of Cannonier is best expressed by the length of the deal offered to him this summer. At the age of 17, youth players are only able to commit to a maximum of three years. The fact Liverpool opted for the longest deal possible for Cannonier
highlights their view of him and his potential.
When he celebrates his 18th birthday next May, three years on from the night of Barcelona’s visit, Cannonier will be hoping he has done enough to pen fresh terms with the club he loves. Though as we know,
contract extensions are not handed out for fun — they are earned. And the graft for Cannonier to clinch one has already begun. His pre-season form helps enlighten us to just how determined the teenager is to make up for lost time.
