Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona: Reds’ ballboy hero revealed to play for Anfield club’s academy

Janet March 19, 2020
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona: Reds’ ballboy hero revealed to play for Anfield club’s academy
The ballboy whose quick-thinking made him a Liverpool hero has been identified as one of the club’s academy players.Oakley Cannonier was the boy who got the ball back to Trent Alexander-Arnold seconds before the defender whipped in a corner for Divock Origi to score the decisive goal in Liverpool’s 4-0 defeat of Barcelona that booked the Reds’ place in the Champions League final.When a second ball rebounded onto the pitch, the youngster quickly retrieved it to allow the match to continue, which helped catch Barcelona off guard.It has now been revealed that 14-year-old Oakley, along with his fellow ballboys, was shown a video presentation before the match to highlight how slow Barcelona reacted to corners.Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, identified Barca’s defensive problems during the first-leg and wanted to take advantage when they rocked up at Anfield.And, boy, did it work! Oakley remembered the advice and reacted quickly to ensure Alexander-Arnold could take the corner with the visiting players completely unaware of what was going on.The youngster has since been identified as one of Liverpool’s academy players. According to the Independent, Oakley is originally from Leeds and ‘sometimes trains two age groups above his natural level’.Oakley’s quick-thinking was spoken about by former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness, who said the ballboy should be given two season tickets or a ticket to the Champions League final for his contribution.“Watch this, we will circle him,” Souness explained on Irish television. “It goes out for a corner. They are following the ball… watch the ballboy here.“He is already on the spot.“He [Alexander-Arnold] puts it down now. He goes to walk away and he realises there is a few dopes gone to sleep.

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“They have all turned their back on it. That is criminal, criminal for a professional footballer.”Liverpool supporters similarly noticed Oakley’s impact, and they made it clear he deserves to be rewarded for playing a vital role in the victory.Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum both struck twice to seal a miraculous comeback for Liverpool, who were without Salah and star striker Roberto Firmino for the clash.The Reds will head to Madrid for their second European Cup final in as many years, with Premier League rivals Tottenham their opponents after Spurs beat Ajax in their own momentous comeback victory on Wednesday night.
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