Sheffield United defender Jack O’Connell admitted it would be hard to reject Liverpool if they ever came calling for his services.
The 6ft 3in tall enforcer (Source: Transfermarkt) shared that he was happy at the Blades as he had just signed a new contract, but confessed it was his dream as a kid to play for Liverpool.
O’Connell admitted he thought it was unlikely the Reds would try to sign him, yet also revealed he’d love to replicate Jordan Henderson by lifting the Champions League trophy for the club one day.
“I’m a massive Liverpool fan and went to the Champions League final in Madrid – but couldn’t really enjoy the game because I ended up analysing them as opposition next season,” said O’Connell, as transcribed by Sky Sports.
“I’m guessing staying up is the main priority [for Sheffield United] but seeing Jordan Henderson lift the trophy gave me goosebumps, and I’d love it to be me one day.
“Obviously I am happy at Sheffield United. I’ve just signed a new contract and I’ve never thought about leaving, but my dream as a kid was to play for Liverpool and if they ever come knocking, although unlikely, it would be hard to turn them down.”
OPINION
It’s nice to hear that O’Connell supports Liverpool but he is right to suggest it’s unlikely the Reds will come calling for him, at least in the near future. The 25-year-old played a major part in helping Sheffield United win promotion from the Championship last season as he featured 41 times in the league, and was involved in getting seven goals. O’Connell scored three while assisting four and averaged an impressive match rating of 7.09 (Source: WhoScored) across his league outings. Aside from being a threat in his opponent’s box due to his ability to win aerial duels, O’Connell pulled his weight at the back. The 25-year-old was involved in helping the Blades get 17 of their clean sheets in the league, as per Transfermarkt, and regularly put his body on the line for his side as he averaged 1.3 interceptions per game as well as 0.7 blocks per outing (Source:WhoScored). However, while all of that is impressive, O’Connell hasn’t proven himself in the Premier League as of yet and after the Reds finished second in the top-flight and won the Champions League if they’re to sign a new centre-back, they can and should get someone with more proven top-flight experience.
