What Happened To The Famous Ball Boy After the Barcelona Game? | OneFootball

The Famous Ball Boy from the Barca Game: Oakley Cannonier’s Journey

A Name Etched in Liverpool Folklore

For many football fans, the phrase “corner taken quickly” is synonymous with one of the most iconic moments in UEFA Champions League history. On that fateful night at Anfield in May 2019, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s lightning-fast corner led to Divock Origi’s crucial goal against Barcelona. But there was an unsung hero behind that moment—Oakley Cannonier, the ball boy who instinctively fed the ball back to Alexander-Arnold, allowing Liverpool to capitalise on the disarray in Barcelona’s defence.

Fast forward to today, and Cannonier is no longer a ball boy—he’s a highly-rated young striker in Liverpool’s academy. However, his path has been anything but straightforward, as detailed in a recent episode of the Anfield Academy Podcast, hosted by Ben Pescod and featuring academy expert Lewis Bower.

Oakley Cannonier’s Rise and Setbacks

Cannonier’s rise through Liverpool’s ranks was marked by an extraordinary goalscoring record. As Bower highlighted on the podcast, “He absolutely exploded… 42 goals in a season for the under-18s.” His natural instinct for goal, combined with his ability to be in the right place at the right time, made him one of the most promising forwards in the academy.

Despite his small stature for a striker, Bower emphasised his intelligence and movement, comparing him to classic poachers of the past. “He reminds me of a player we might see in an old-school Serie A striker, just a proper fox in the box.”

However, Cannonier’s progression was hampered by injuries. “He started well, then got injured—hamstring, I believe. He came back in the second half of the season, did relatively well, then suffered another injury,” Bower explained. These setbacks prevented him from gaining the consistent game time necessary to push into the under-21s and, ultimately, the first-team setup.

Will Cannonier Make It at Liverpool?

One of the biggest questions surrounding Cannonier’s future is whether he can translate his goal-scoring exploits at youth level into senior football. His finishing ability has been praised, but Bower also pointed out areas for development: “He is a good finisher, don’t get me wrong, but he did miss a lot of chances. What stood out was his ability to constantly be in the right place at the right time.”

This knack for being in goal-scoring positions is a trait many elite strikers possess, but for Cannonier, injuries have stalled his development. The lack of consistent under-21 minutes has left his future uncertain. “We’ll see how he develops… He has been on a team sheet this season, but it’s been few and far between,” Bower noted.

While some academy prospects benefit from loans to the Championship or League One, Cannonier’s case is different. Given his injury record, Liverpool’s coaching staff might prefer to keep him within the club’s controlled environment rather than exposing him to the physicality of lower-league football.

The Bigger Picture: Academy Talent and First-Team Prospects

The discussion on The Anfield Academy Podcast didn’t solely revolve around Cannonier. Bower and Pescod touched on Liverpool’s wider academy structure and the challenges young players face in breaking into the first team.

With Arne Slot now at the helm, the pathway to senior football remains competitive. Players such as Jayden Danns and Tyler Morton were mentioned as promising talents who might benefit from loan spells, something Bower strongly supports. “I think Dan’s should go and get some Championship football under his belt,” he said, reinforcing the idea that consistent senior football is often more beneficial than lingering in the under-21s.

Liverpool’s academy has historically produced gems, from Steven Gerrard to Alexander-Arnold, and the club remains committed to nurturing young talent. However, with the modern game demanding instant impact, fewer homegrown players are being afforded long-term opportunities at their boyhood clubs.

What’s Next for Cannonier?

For now, the jury is out on Cannonier’s long-term future at Liverpool. The raw talent is evident, and his ability to score goals at youth level has never been in question. But the step up to professional football is about more than just talent—it requires resilience, consistency, and, in his case, luck with injuries.

As Bower succinctly put it, “It’s unclear whether he’s going to properly break into the Liverpool first team.” If he can stay fit, gain valuable minutes, and continue developing, he may yet fulfil the promise that made him famous as a teenager. Whether that is at Liverpool or elsewhere remains to be seen.

One thing is certain—regardless of where his career takes him, Oakley Cannonier will always be remembered as the ball boy who played his part in one of Anfield’s greatest nights.