Canada is all set to kick off its World Cup campaign. Amid sporadic transfer links, one of the co-hosts' stars has had plenty to say about Liverpool in the past
18:27, 12 Jun 2026
Jonathan David #10 of Canada looks on in the first half during the international friendly match against the Republic of Ireland at Saputo Stadium on June 5, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Canada striker Jonathan David has spoken about Liverpool multiple times.(Image: Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
After Mexico got the World Cup underway with a 2-0 win over South Africa, co-hosts Canada and the US will both take to the field for the first time today. Les Rouges will face Bosnia and Herzegovina, an important game in a competitive group.
One of the main stars for Canada is undoubtedly Jonathan David. Linked with a free transfer to Liverpool last summer, the striker ultimately signed for Juventus, and enters the tournament having recorded a modest 10 Serie A goal involvements in his first season in Italy.
This was not the first time he was linked with an Anfield switch. His name surfaced at least as far back as 2022, shortly before Liverpool got Darwin Nunez, and his history with the club stretches even further back than that.
A former exciting prospect, David was tipped for big things while still playing for Gent in Belgium. (He joined them in 2018 from the Ottawa Internationals.)
The possibility of a move to the Premier League was put to him at the time. Strangely, the young forward specifically singled out Liverpool as a team he does not like.
"I like all the teams in the Premier League: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, but also Southampton, Crystal Palace, Everton... I like teams," David explained at the time. "I'm just not a big fan of Liverpool.
"I don't know. I don't really like them. No [it isn't because of Jurgen Klopp], because I think he is world class.
"The Liverpool team with Gerrard, Sterling, Sturridge, Suárez, I liked them. But now..."
Gianluca Mancini defender of AS Roma in duel with Jonathan David forward of KAA Gent during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32, 2nd leg match between KAA Gent and AS Roma at the Ghelamco Arena on February 27, 2020 in Gent, Belgium.
A young David at Gent in 2020(Image: Nico Vereecken / Photo News via Getty Images)
Exactly what David's problem was at a time when Liverpool was among the very best teams in world football is anybody's guess. In any case, he ended up moving to Lille, where he scored 109 goals in 232 appearances, and the remarks lay forgotten for a long time.
Naturally, they resurfaced when the prospect of an Anfield move was on the table last summer. But by that time, David had very much changed his tune.
In fact, he paid Arne Slot's Liverpool the ultimate compliment. Having scored against the Reds in the Champions League, he was effusive in his praise.
"Very good team," he summarized. "I think they might be the best team in the world at the moment."
Jonathan David of Lille celebrates their first goal with his team mates during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Liverpool FC and LOSC Lille at Anfield on January 21, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
David found the net against Liverpool at Anfield last year(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
All in all, then, you could say that David has mixed feelings when it comes to Liverpool. But in any case, you'd assume that a move is finally more or less off the table.
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Despite having been around for some time, the Canada striker is still only 26. But it was really his free agency that made him potentially interesting last summer, and his star has gradually waned as he has progressed out of the "exciting talent" age group.
Nevertheless, he will be pivotal to Canada's hopes, especially with Alphonso Davies set to miss the first match through injury. His absence makes the Juventus man the undisputed star attraction.
After taking on Bosnia, Canada will face Qatar and Switzerland. David will fancy his chances of finding the net somewhere along the way in that run, and potentially sending his nation beyond the group stages for the first time in the history of its men's team.