LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 7, 2017: Liverpool's Sheyi Ojo in action against Plymouth Argyle during the FA Cup 3rd Round match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 7, 2017: Liverpool's Sheyi Ojo in action against Plymouth Argyle during the FA Cup 3rd Round match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Former Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo has made his debut for Kazakh side Aktobe, as a new chapter starts in his nomadic career.
Ojo was once considered one of the most exciting talents at Liverpool, and upon his £2 million move from MK Dons in 2011 he became the most expensive 14-year-old in the country.
The Englishman was handed his debut by Jurgen Klopp against Exeter back in January 2016 – the first of 13 appearances for the Reds.
Ojo’s time at Liverpool eventually reached its natural conclusion, however, and he left to join Cardiff City in 2022 following a host of loan moves.
SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - Monday, August 23, 2021: Liverpool's Sheyi Ojo during the Premier League 2 Division 1 match between Everton FC Under-23's and Liverpool FC Under-23's, the Mini-Merseyside Derby, at Haig Avenue. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - Monday, August 23, 2021: Liverpool's Sheyi Ojo during the Premier League 2 Division 1 match between Everton FC Under-23's and Liverpool FC Under-23's, the Mini-Merseyside Derby, at Haig Avenue. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Now 29, the winger made his bow for Aktobe in Kazakhstan on Sunday, having completed a switch from Maribor earlier this month.
Ojo played 62 minutes of his new side’s 1-1 draw with Atyrau in the Kazakh top flight, before being replaced by former Man United winger Nani.
The point left them fifth in the table after 21 matches.
Sheyi Ojo highlights the brutal nature of Liverpool’s Academy
SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - Monday, August 23, 2021: Liverpool's Sheyi Ojo during the Premier League 2 Division 1 match between Everton FC Under-23's and Liverpool FC Under-23's, the Mini-Merseyside Derby, at Haig Avenue. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - Monday, August 23, 2021: Liverpool's Sheyi Ojo during the Premier League 2 Division 1 match between Everton FC Under-23's and Liverpool FC Under-23's, the Mini-Merseyside Derby, at Haig Avenue. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
As mentioned, there were such high hopes for Ojo at Liverpool in his teen years, and Klopp spoke glowingly about him after an assist for Daniel Sturridge in a 4-1 win over Stoke.
“Ojo is a good boy, with a way to go,” Klopp said.
“But no problem. But then after two or three good moments on the right wing, doing that on the left wing, the dribbling and the cross, it was really brilliant. Daniel finished perfectly.”
Sheyi Ojo’s career after Liverpool
Cardiff City – 2022-2024: 82 apps, 7 goals, 7 assists
Kortrijk (loan) – 2023-24: 32 apps, 1 goal, 1 assist
Maribor – 2024-2026: 61 apps, 4 goals, 7 assists
Aktobe – 2026-present: 1 app, 0 goals, 0 assists
But ultimately, Ojo wasn’t consistent enough to be a regular at first-team level for Liverpool, as is the case with the vast majority of youngsters.
Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni have the potential to become key starters, but only a relentless work ethic and consistent top-level quality will give them a chance of achieving that goal.
Ojo hasn’t reached the level many at Anfield would have predicted, but this move to Aktobe is hopefully a positive spell at a more advanced point in his career.
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