Luca Stephenson left Liverpool for Bolton in a £700,000 deal and has explained the reality of why an exit was needed after eight years at the club.
Stephenson completed a permanent move to Championship side Bolton this week for what This Is Anfield understands to be a £700,000 deal that includes a 20 percent sell-on clause.
The reliable academy midfielder joined the Reds at under-15 level in 2018, and while he went on to feature in pre-season friendlies, he never made a competitive first-team appearance nor squad for the club.
That lack of a pathway in the past and under Andoni Iraola made it certain that a permanent transfer was needed rather than a loan or stagnating as an overage player in the under-21 setup.
“The one thing I always want to do is play games,” Stephenson, who was previously loaned to Barrow and Dundee United, told Wanderers TV.
PHILADELPHIA - Wednesday, July 31, 2024: Liverpool substitutes Trey Nyoni (L) and Luca Stephenson before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at the Lincoln Financial Field on day eight of the club's pre-season tour of the USA. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“It’s brilliant being a Liverpool player and they’ve kind of given me a lot and they’ve taught me a lot, but there’s nothing like playing men’s football.
“You can’t replicate that at Liverpool playing for the 21s. I found that I wasn’t going to get the chance to play for the first team every week, and that’s why I made the decision to come here.
“I grew up watching a lot of this level. I’ve been a big Sunderland fan myself, so I’ve watched them for the past few years in the Championship and I’ve seen what it’s all about.
“I’ve obviously never played at this level before, but I’ve always been wanting to play in it and test myself.”
It is a refreshingly honest view from a player who could have continued to be associated with Liverpool without the appearances.
But it is also a reminder that academy graduates are not guaranteed a senior career at the club, and more often than not, a move away is what is best to further their career.
Stephenson had the desire to leave and forge a career and will now get the opportunity in the Championship after Bolton’s promotion following five seasons in League One.