An image of the Liverpool crest on the exterior wall of Anfield
(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
A former Liverpool defender who’s recently become a free agent has revealed that he’s now back on Merseyside with the Reds’ under-21 side.
Conor Coady came through the academy ranks at LFC to carve out a professional career which has seen him play more than 500 senior club games and obtain 10 caps for England, although he’d only make two competitive first-team appearances for us (both in the 2012/13 season).
The 33-year-old had most recently been with Wrexham but, on Monday, he terminated his contract with the Championship side a year early.
Coady confirms Liverpool return
The St Helens native revealed on live radio that he’s now returned to Liverpool with the under-21 setup to partake in some coaching and also maintain his own fitness while he figures out his next career move.
Coady told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport: “I’m trying to keep myself busy. I’m lucky enough to get the opportunity to go into Liverpool’s under-21s. I came through there. I’m doing a little bit of coaching with the boys, which has been brilliant.”
He added: “The lads at Liverpool are amazing with me. The players but also Jay Spearing and Rob Page who gave me the opportunity to come in, mirror them a little bit, be in the office before training and look at how they plan a session. If they need numbers, I’ll jump in and keep myself fit as well.
“That’s what it’s looking like at the minute. I’m obviously speaking to my agent about different bits that are going on. I’m not massively in a rush because I want to make sure it’s right.”
(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
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Coady didn’t wallow in self-pity after leaving Liverpool in 2014
We imagine that, having never quite made the grade at Liverpool, Coady must be delighted to come back to the club with the under-21s and work with Page and Spearing, with the latter combining his role as coach with sporadic playing duties.
The former England international has been back on Merseyside since his early days with the Reds, having spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Everton. It was four years ago tomorrow that he had a derby goal against us chalked off due to an offside infringement, with the game ending 0-0.
The 33-year-old is a prime example of how a player who doesn’t make a full breakthrough at an elite club can work his way back to the top with the right combination of ability, determination, effort and good fortune.
Coady joined Huddersfield after leaving Liverpool in 2014 and later went on to captain Wolves upon their return to the Premier League four years later, helping the Molineux outfit to qualify for Europe in their first season back in the top flight.
We wish him well upon his return to Merseyside and hope that his time with the Reds’ under-21s is beneficial for him, the coaching staff and the team as a whole.