Interview'The standards are so high here, you always want to make an impression'

Since arriving at the Reds from Derry City in 2022, the forward has gone on to make a senior debut and also play for the first time for Republic of Ireland's U21s.

Earlier this week, Kone-Doherty was on the scoresheet twice to help the club's U19s group claim a 5-4 UEFA Youth League win at Eintracht Frankfurt.

A regular member of the Liverpool U21s attack, too, Kone-Doherty feels working under new head coach Rob Page can help him realise his ambitions in years to come.

Page's side will be hoping to get back to winning ways in Premier League 2 on Sunday when they host Everton at the Academy. Kick-off is 1pm GMT and the game is live on All Red Video.

Ahead of the mini-derby, Kone-Doherty sat down with Liverpoolfc.com to reflect on his progress on Merseyside so far…

On his relaxed style of play…

I do try to be relaxed. I just love playing football so any time you get the chance to play football I just try to stay relaxed and do my thing.

On making his senior debut at Plymouth Argyle last season…

That was a really proud moment for me and my family. I was just delighted when the manager asked me to come on, the manager just told me to go and be brave, try to beat a man and get crosses into the box. It was an unfortunate result but on a personal note it was a really proud moment. Hopefully I can get more opportunities in the future.

On training with the senior squad at the AXA Training Centre…

I think I've definitely developed as a player because when I first came here I was not developed physically, nowhere near to what I am now. I've definitely learned a lot with the coaches and the experience of being around good players as well has helped me along. I still have a lot of work to do but I feel like I'm developing well.

On adapting to train with the senior players who are setting the standard…

When you go over there, it's always try to show a good impression of yourself. Obviously the standards are really high so you just want to keep up and try to show what you can do. These players are some of the best in the world so they keep the standards high and if you drop below them they will let you know to raise up your standards. I always look at the way they do certain things before training and after, because that's what I, we are all aspiring to be like. It's just the small things we look at, even the superstitions they have, everyone has their own thing and it's just good to see sometimes.

On recently making his debut for Republic of Ireland U21s and grabbing an assist…

It was a proud moment for me when I came on at half-time. Liverpool have had a few players play for Ireland so Liverpool is well known there. It would be amazing to play for the senior team one day, as a kid your dream is to play for your country at senior level so hopefully one day that comes. I'll just keep my head down, keep developing and then you never know what can happen in the future.

On working with Page with the U21s…

I think it has been really good. All of the lads really like the manager. For me personally, he gives me the freedom to go and express myself. It's good to have a manager who has played the game and also managed first teams and done really big things, because he knows what it takes to get there. Any words I get from him, I just try to take it in.

On an U21s squad with experience so far, with not too many players going out on loan…

We have a really strong squad and as the manager has been saying, we are still getting there. We've got things to work on but we will get it, we are developing nicely and starting to develop more relationships on the field. Hopefully we can start getting better results in the upcoming games.

On the challenge of facing Everton…

It's a big game, it's a derby, a game everyone looks forward to every season. We've been doing well. We know this is a bigger game than normal so we will give it that extra five per cent.