Liverpool star encourages move for young team mates | OneFootball

Luca Stephenson opens up on Dundee United impact as Liverpool youngster urges team-mates to head north

There are loan moves that simply fill a season and there are others that shape careers. For Luca Stephenson, his two years at Dundee United appear destined to fall firmly into the second category.

The Liverpool youngster arrived at Tannadice in the summer of 2024 with little fanfare. A previous spell at Barrow had offered him a taste of senior football, but there were still questions surrounding whether he was ready to thrive in a demanding first-team environment.

By the time he departed Scotland, Stephenson had become one of Dundee United’s most trusted performers and a player Liverpool’s academy staff now view as a success story in development terms.

Speaking to The Courier, Stephenson reflected on the moment everything changed under manager Jim Goodwin.

“Within my first couple of days at the club, I did one training session and he gave me a start against St Mirren in the League Cup,” Stephenson explained.

“That show of trust helped me think, ‘right, I do belong in men’s football’. That’s such an important step for a young player.”

It proved a turning point. Days later he scored his first senior goal against St Johnstone and quickly established himself as a key figure for Dundee United.

Liverpool youngster embraces leadership role

Stephenson’s versatility made him invaluable at Tannadice. Across two seasons, he operated in multiple positions while developing into one of the most reliable players in the squad.

His second campaign brought even greater progress. Five goals and five assists represented the best attacking return of his career and underlined how much his confidence had grown in Scotland.

More importantly, there was visible maturity in his game.

“So much has progressed for me, in my game and in my character,” Stephenson said.

“I know I can lead on the pitch, which is something I didn’t know I could do at senior level when I first came up here.”

That growth was recognised by Goodwin when the Liverpool loanee captained Dundee United against Motherwell earlier this year. At only 22, it marked a significant milestone.

Stephenson admitted the occasion remains one of the proudest moments of his career so far.

“To lead a team like Dundee United out was massive,” he said. “I’ll always look back on that with enormous pride.”

Liverpool have long viewed Scotland as a valuable proving ground for young players and Stephenson’s rise could strengthen that pathway even further.

Scotland experience earns rave reviews

Perhaps the most revealing aspect of Stephenson’s interview was his determination to sell Dundee United and Scottish football to other Liverpool academy players.

Young footballers can often hesitate over moves north of the border, uncertain about the style of football or the intensity of expectation. Stephenson believes those concerns are misplaced.

“I’ll be honest, I’ve been pushing the Dundee United agenda out to a few young boys already,” he laughed.

“I can’t speak highly enough to anybody about United. More than that, I’ve been giving rave reviews to Scottish football in general to any of the boys who might not know much about it.”

It is easy to understand why.

At Dundee United he found trust, responsibility and the freedom to express himself. Those are not always guaranteed for young talents trying to bridge the gap between academy football and senior level.

Stephenson also spoke warmly about the culture built at Tannadice under Goodwin and the connection he developed with supporters during his time at the club.

“If you are enjoying your environment every day and loving your work, then you are going to perform better,” he said.

“When that happens, you get more respect from the fans and build the confidence to express yourself.”

Future plans emerge after emotional farewell

Stephenson’s final weeks at Dundee United were complicated by a hamstring injury that cut short his campaign. There was genuine concern the setback would deny him the opportunity to properly say goodbye to supporters.

Instead, he received a memorable farewell before the Dundee derby and again on the final day in Paisley.

“You get attached to people and you get attached to the football club,” Stephenson admitted.

“This is somewhere I’ve properly called home for two years.”

That emotional connection says plenty about the impact Dundee United had on the Liverpool player and equally about the impression he left behind in Scotland.

Liverpool will now assess Stephenson’s next step carefully. Whether he earns opportunities closer to Arne Slot’s first-team picture or heads out on another loan, his reputation has grown considerably after his time at Dundee United.

For Scottish football, meanwhile, his story offers another reminder that the right environment can accelerate development faster than many expect.

And if Liverpool’s young players are unsure about making the same journey north, Stephenson has already delivered his answer.

“If any of the boys get a sniff of a move to United, I’ll drive them up there myself to get it done!”