Jurgen Klopp changed the careers and lives of many players at Liverpool, but not everybody who wore red for him enjoyed success during his reign, including one academy graduate
Connor Randall of Liverpool and Andreas Weimann of Wolverhampton Wanderers during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on January 28, 2017 in Liverpool, England
Connor Randall only made eight senior appearances for Liverpool(Image: 2017 AMA Sports Photo Agency)
Jurgen Klopp led Liverpool to remarkable triumphs, but not every player thrived under his management. The German regularly offered opportunities to the club's academy graduates.
Trent Alexander-Arnold became a vital player under his stewardship, while Curtis Jones also enjoyed a rise into the first team. However, not every player from the academy was able to win his trust, as Connor Randall found out the hard way.
Randall, who is now the club captain of Scottish Championship side Ross County, was part of the first XI that were beaten 2-1 at home by Wolves in the 2017 FA Cup fourth round. Randall, who was started at right-back, was substituted at half-time after the team found themselves two goals down.
This substitution proved to be Randall's last game for Liverpool. Reflecting on that disheartening experience at Anfield on the Football Journey's podcast, the now 29-year-old 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 changing room 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.
Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool reacts during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on January 28, 2017 in Liverpool, England
The defeat to Wolves was one of Klopp's most significant defeats in the early years of his reign
"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 clear 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.
"If I'm being honest I did find it tough. Not just football, I probably took it with me outside of football as well. The biggest emotion is being half-ashamed, even going out, you don't want to go places and for people to see you and go, 'That s*** player' or whatever."
Ross County's Connor Randall and Livingston's Cristian Montaño
Ross County v Livingston, William Hill Premiership Play-Off Final, Second Leg, Football, Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall, Scotland, UK - 26 May 2025
Connor Randall (left) is now the captain of Ross County
Randall only made eight appearances for the Reds in all competitions, which all came under Klopp's reign. Not long after the defeat to Wolves, Scottish side Hearts loaned him for the 2017/18 campaign.
After returning to Merseyside, Randall was sent out on loan again, this time to Rochdale. He would be released upon his return from the EFL side, before Bulgarian team Arda Kardzhali signed him in September 2019 while he was a free agent.
Ross County would go on to bring him to Scotland in July 2020 as a free agent. He quickly established himself as a key player for the Staggies, cementing himself a position in their first team.
At the start of last season, he was made the club captain at the Global Energy Stadium, outlining the huge impact he has had on the club.