Connor puts end to wait for 'dream come true'
After becoming the latest Academy graduate to make the step up to senior level with Liverpool, Connor Randall showed all of the humility and level-headedness that typifies the youngsters developed in Kirkby.
Jürgen Klopp named the 20-year-old in his side for Wednesday’s Capital One Cup clash with Bournemouth, rewarding the full-back for his recent efforts in first-team training.
His inclusion was one part of the faith the manager put into the club’s aspiring players for the fourth round tie as Cameron Brannagan and Joao Carlos Teixeira also achieved maiden starts.
The latter was influential in creating a goal for Nathaniel Clyne which proved to be the difference at Anfield, giving Klopp a first victory in charge of the Reds.
So Randall could reflect on an evening to remember – one he had been anticipating for many years.
“It was a fantastic experience and a dream come true,” he told Liverpoolfc.com inside the tunnel.
“I’ve been coming here since I was six and it is all I’ve ever wanted since I started playing. To get the opportunity, I’m very grateful and I really enjoyed it.
“A first win under the new manager and we’re through to the next round, which was the most important thing. The team got the win and we’re through now.”
Having waited to fulfil his ambition, Randall had to be patient for a further day after finding out that he would be featuring against Bournemouth 24 hours before the game.
Asked when he received word from the manager, the No.56 revealed: “[Tuesday] afternoon – in training we did some shape for the game and I was told I was in.
“It was a long day waiting to play and I was really looking forward to it. I wanted the game to come as quickly as possible.
“It has been a massive two weeks for me and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve had the opportunity to be down at Melwood every day.
“I’m really thankful to the manager for giving me the opportunity to play and letting me get out there. I really enjoyed it so I’m very grateful.
“He just said to play my own game, don’t think too much about it, go out and enjoy it, run forward like I do and be safe defensively. He said to just enjoy it mainly, and it gave me the confidence to go out there and play.”
Randall will now hope that it’s a matter of weeks rather than years before he gets another opportunity to represent Liverpool’s first team.
And he already has a plan to try to make that goal a reality.
He added: “I just want to keep working hard in training and keep doing my best to impress the manager, and hopefully get the chance again soon.”