Young winger has officially left to complete a permanent transfer to , with the Norwegian side expressing appreciation for the way the deal was handled.

The 19-year-old departs the Reds after spending close to four years developing within the club’s academy system at Kirkby. While youth departures are common, Molde’s leadership made it clear this move involved constructive discussions between the two clubs.

Molde sporting director Ole Jakob Strandhagen publicly acknowledged Liverpool’s professionalism during negotiations, revealing that the Merseyside club were actually interested in keeping the talented youngster.

According to Strandhagen, Liverpool showed a genuine willingness to maintain a positive relationship despite their desire to retain the winger.

From Anfield Development to First-Team Opportunity

Kone-Doherty originally joined Liverpool from in 2022 and quickly gained attention for his pace, confidence on the ball, and attacking instincts.

The teenager described himself as a fearless wide player who enjoys entertaining supporters and expressing himself creatively on the pitch.

While Liverpool had reportedly offered him new terms, breaking into the first team in the near future looked challenging due to strong competition in attacking positions under head coach .

By moving to Molde, the winger now has a clearer route to consistent senior football in Norway’s top division.

Early Taste of Senior Football at Liverpool

Despite mainly featuring for Liverpool’s youth teams, Kone-Doherty did manage to experience senior action with the Reds. He made his first-team debut in the against in February 2025 and later added another appearance earlier this season.

Although opportunities were limited, his performances at youth level showed promise. During the 2025/26 campaign, the winger played 14 matches, starting every game and providing five assists across 1,168 minutes.

Earlier in his academy journey, he was also a prolific contributor at U18 level before an injury briefly slowed his progress.

A Strategic Career Move

Molde believe they have secured a player with significant potential. The club highlighted his technical ability, speed, and attacking creativity as key strengths.

They also praised the football education he received at Liverpool, suggesting that the club’s development system helped shape the winger into a promising young talent.

From Liverpool’s perspective, the move appears to be more about opportunity than losing a prospect. With fierce competition for places in the first team, the transfer allows Kone-Doherty to gain valuable senior experience rather than remain in academy football.

Importantly, the respectful nature of negotiations means the relationship between the two clubs remains strong — leaving the possibility open for Liverpool to continue monitoring the youngster’s progress in the future. ⚽