A Liverpool striker has taken to social media to confirm his exit from the club after a 10-year stay on Merseyside.
Liverpool’s academy has seen plenty of movement in recent weeks, with a number of players leaving permanently or on loan.
Kyle Kelly has headed out to the National League, joining Forest Green Rovers on loan until January as the club look to test him in senior football.
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Midfielder Tommy Pilling, has completed a permanent move to Slovak side MFK Zemplín Michalovce, ending a 16‑year association with the Reds.
Carter Pinnington has also moved on, with the young defender joining West Bromwich Albion in a permanent deal as he searches for a clearer first‑team pathway.
Taken together, these decisions show how ruthless it can be at academy level.
Earlier this year, Liverpool’s retained‑list confirmed Oakley Cannonier was among the eight academy players released this summer, bringing an official end to his spell at Anfield when his contract expired.
Now 22, he never made a senior debut despite a prolific record at under‑18 level, and took to Instagram to post a cryptic farewell message:
“I would like to say a huge thank you to Liverpool FC for the last 10 years.”
“To all the players and SOME of the staff I’ve had the privilege of working with. The memories, experiences and friendships I’ve made will stay with me forever.”
“This club has played a huge part in my journey, both as a player and as a person, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”
“Even though I never got to make my debut at Anfield at least I’m in a little bit of history of this amazing club! YNWA.”
Of course, the use of the word “some” in capital letters is not exactly showing he is thankful to all staff members at the academy system.
It could be explained by how he was overlooked towards the end of his time at the club. In interviews earlier this year, he confirmed he would be leaving after persistent hamstring injuries caused his development to stall on Merseyside:
“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,” he said to the Athletic.
“People haven’t seen me play for two years. That’s the thing that has held me back. 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,” Cannonier added.
His name will always ring a bell with supporters due to being the ball boy for Trent Alexander‑Arnold’s famous corner against Barcelona.
Oakley Cannonier