Midfielder confirms why he had to leave Liverpool as deal announced | OneFootball

Liverpool have taken the decision to sell Luca Stephenson to Bolton Wanderers.

The 22-year-old’s long-awaited move was announced earlier this week - with reports putting the deal around the £700k mark.

That seems a remarkably low fee for a player of Stephenson’s calibre - who has spent two seasons out on loan in Scotland impressing at Dundee United.

Bolton complete £700k deal for Luca Stephenson

The versatile defender-cum-midfielder was even deemed to be close to a Liverpool breakthrough - featuring in two preseasons under Arne Slot and signing a new contract last summer.

Stephenson was even linked with a return in January when the outgoing Premier League champions were struggling due to availability issues at right-back.

He did stay put however - with his season later curtailed due to injury.

Stephenson told he wouldn't get a breakthrough

But Stephenson was never going to settle for not playing football - and has got his wish in the form of a transfer to the Championship new boys.

He has revealed that he would have NO first-team role to play at Anfield for the 2026/27 season - leading to his decision to explore a permanent move away.

“The one thing I always want to do is play games,” Stephenson told his new club’s in-house TV channel.

“It's brilliant being a Liverpool player and they've kind of given me a lot and they've taught me a lot, but there's nothing like playing men's football.

“You can't replicate that at Liverpool playing for the 21s.

“I found that I wasn't going to get the chance to play for the first team every week and that's why I made the decision to come here.”

Stephenson sold for rock-bottom fee

Stephenson joined Liverpool’s academy from Sunderland back in 2018 for a reported fee of £500k. As well as loan spells at Dundee United in each of the last two seasons he has also had a temporary stint with Barrow.

Dundee United fans have been taken with Stephenson’s quality, effort and endurance and he is sure to be a good asset for Bolton in the season ahead.