Liverpool stunned the world of academy football in 2024 by swooping in to sign then Chelsea starlet Rio Ngumoha, who had long been seen as a potentially elite talent.
Since then, Ngumoha has gone on to prove those predictions to be correct, with the 17-year-old looking set for a long-term future at Anfield.
The move North made Chelsea furious, and the Blues reportedly even banned Liverpool staff from their academy completely in the wake of the move. Two years on, and the Reds could now be at it again, with 16-year-old Man City midfielder Xavier Parker the subject of a tug-of-war between City and Liverpool.
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But who is Parker? And why are Liverpool so keen to make him another gem in their youth team ranks?
Parker is a Liverpool supporter
The news that Liverpool are keen on Parker has been supplied by academy-focused X account The Secret Scout, who has a good record of breaking youth-team related transfers.
“Manchester City pushing hard to keep Xavier Parker,” they posted on Friday morning.
“This week MCFC have offered what is understood to be a record first professional contract for an academy player as they bid to retain the highly-rated talent. Liverpool have presented their vision + pathway. As shown with recent signings. City determined not to lose him.”
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The Secret Scout also revealed in June that Parker is actually a Liverpool supporter.
“Liverpool and Xavier Parker representatives have begun contract negotiations. Both parties want the move. Parker is a Liverpool fan,” he said, before revealing that a move had been expected.
Fast forward three weeks or so, and it seems City are pulling out all of the stops to get the teenager, who plays as a midfielder, to stay.
Parker has had a good season with City’s U18s, scoring six goals and laying on seven assists across 23 appearances.
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What kind of player is Parker?
A tall, generally more advanced midfielder, Parker is already extremely well-built physically for his age, and has the ball control and decision-making to match.
Adept at carrying the ball through midfield and linking play with the forwards, the youngster has looked a cut above at youth level for City.
If he does join Liverpool, Parker will likely head straight into the U18s, but, like Ngumoha before him, the pathway will open up if he shows enough potential.
Liverpool clearly think Parker could be the next cab off the rank in English youth football, but with City coming on strong, they may still let this one slip away.
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