Barnsley travel to Anfield on Monday evening in the hope of laying another FA Cup shock on Liverpool.
The Tykes last played at the Reds’ home back in February 2008, when they secured a memorable turnaround win.
With Liverpool now champions, and Barnsley struggling in League One, an away win at Anfield would be even more of a surprise 18 years on.
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Jordan Henderson of Liverpool lifts The Emirates FA Cup trophy after their sides victory during The FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium
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At the time of the last fixture between the two sides, Curtis Jones and Adam Phillips were both dreaming of a football career ahead of joining the Liverpool academy.
Phillips will return to Liverpool as a Barnsley player on Monday evening and when their paths cross again back on Merseyside, Phillips has admitted that he has one issue to raise with his former school mate.
Adam Phillips ready to ‘have a word’ with Curtis Jones
Phillips was highly rated as a young player with Liverpool, and although he never made a senior appearance for the Reds, he has gone on to have a good career.
Jones, on the other hand, has fulfilled his dream of becoming a regular in the Liverpool first-team, now clocking up more than 200 appearances.
Curtis Jones of Liverpool Fc in action during the UEFA
Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images
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And according to Phillips, this success appears to have gone to the Scouser’s head somewhat. Speaking to BBC Sport, the 27-year-old joked that Jones will be getting some strong words on Monday after unfollowing him on Instagram.
“I went to the same school as Curtis Jones, although he’s a bit younger, so potentially his or Van Dijk’s shirt would be class,” Phillips said.
“But Curtis unfollowed me on Instagram so he must think he’s big time now. Trent [Alexander-Arnold] still follows me and responds but I’ll have to have a word with Curtis on the pitch.”
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Liverpool vs Barnsley
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Former ball-boy aiming for Anfield win on return
Phillips is not the only former Liverpool academy starlet currently playing for Barnsley, with forward Vimal Yoganathan also likely to start on Monday.
Sitting down with Phillips to speak to BBC Sport, the Welshman outlined his experiences as a young player with Liverpool and admitted that Barnsley are aiming for a win on Merseyside.
Yoganathan was reportedly a ball-boy at Anfield on the occasion of Divock Origi’s iconic match-winning goal in the Merseyside Derby in 2019. He is set to be back at Liverpool for the first time since being released in 2021.
“It was tough [getting released],” says Yoganathan. “Any lad who’s been released from a football club knows it’s one of the most devastating experiences, but it’s helped me overcome challenges.”
Having gone through a similar experience, Phillips admits that he is still a huge Liverpool fan and is looking forward to Monday’s occasion immensely especially, presumably, if he comes up against Jones.
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