The rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester City has taken yet another twist — this time at youth level.
City’s U16 captain Lucas Alford has officially confirmed he’s swapping the blue side of Manchester for the red of Merseyside. The 16-year-old midfielder announced the move himself on Instagram, posting photos in Liverpool’s training gear while signing his contract.
This isn’t the first time Liverpool have managed to lure a highly rated youngster from their rivals. Just last year, Lucas Clarke made the same switch, and he’s already developing impressively within the Reds’ U18 squad.
Alford, who has been praised for his leadership and ability to play both as a defensive midfielder and a box-to-box No.8, will link up with an already exciting group at Kirkby. His new teammates include Joshua Abe, Erik Farkas, and Vincent Joseph, making Liverpool’s U16 setup one of the most promising in the country.
The move highlights a growing trend: while City’s academy is loaded with talent, Liverpool are seen as the club offering a clearer pathway to first-team football. From Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones to Conor Bradley and Rio Ngumoha, recent history proves young players at Anfield get real opportunities.
Interestingly, there are still strong links between the two clubs despite the rivalry. Former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders is now part of City’s coaching staff, while Liverpool continue to attract players raised in the Etihad system.
With Arne Slot leading the Reds into a new era, even Pep Guardiola’s brightest youth stars appear to believe that their future may shine brighter in red than in blue.
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