Liverpool striker Oakley Cannonier has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season, having been overlooked for younger players in the U21s.
Cannonier rose to prominence for his unlikely role as the ball boy who aided Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s quickly taken corner against Barcelona in 2019.
His day job is as a striker in Liverpool’s academy, but after a breakout 40-goal campaign for the U18s in 2021/22 he faced a long struggle with injuries.
But in an interview with The Athletic‘s Jordan Campbell, Cannonier insisted he has been fit since 2024 but finds himself out of the picture as coaches favour younger strikers such as Jayden Danns and summer signing Will Wright.
BURTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 2, 2025: Liverpool's Oakley Cannonier during the pre-match warm-up before the English Football League Trophy Northern Group H match between Burton Albion FC and Liverpool FC Under-21's at The Burton Albion FC Stadium. Burton won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I will leave at the end of the season and am just looking for regular games,” Cannonier, now 21, confirmed, having not played a competitive game since January 2025.
“With my age, that is all I want to be doing.
“The last 18 months have been really difficult with no games to look forward to. You train all week and then there is nothing at the end of it.
“It’s been pretty crap.”
Why Oakley Cannonier is no longer playing for Liverpool
HARROGATE, ENGLAND - Monday, September 23, 2024: Liverpool's Oakley Cannonier shakes hands with Harrogate Town players after the English Football League Trophy Northern Group E match between Harrogate Town AFC and Liverpool FC Under-21's at Wetherby Road. The game ended 1-1. Harrogate won 4-2 on penalties. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
This Is Anfield understands Cannonier came close to a permanent move to Leeds last summer but the two clubs were unable to agree terms around a sell-on clause.
That has left him on the outside looking in at the AXA Training Centre, and unlike those in a similar situation like James Balagizi, Isaac Mabaya and Harvey Davies he has been unable to gain experience out on loan.
“People haven’t seen me play for two years. That’s the thing that has held me back,” Cannonier continued.
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“If I had been playing regular games in PL2 I would be scoring goals, but it hasn’t worked out like that.
“I have been fit for two years and the manager has picked other players. They bought a really good striker, Will Wright, from Salford, so he has been playing.”
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 29, 2022: Liverpool's Oakley Cannonier celebrates after scoring the third goal during the FA Youth Cup 5th Round match between Liverpool FC Under-18's and Chelsea FC Under-18's at the Liverpool Academy. Chelsea won 4-3. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
He added: “I just need games. If I get match fit I know I will be absolutely fine as finishing comes naturally to me.
“I don’t mind where, I just want to be playing and scoring goals, showing everyone how good I am.”
Cannonier’s options will likely increase when he becomes a free agent, though interested clubs will still need to agree a compensation package with Liverpool provided they offer a new contract.
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