Barnsley Midfielders Reflect on Dream Match Against Liverpool

Barnsley Midfielders Reflect on Dream Match Against Liverpool

Barnsley Midfielders Reflect on Dream Match Against Liverpool

For Adam Phillips and Vimal Yoganathan, Monday's match at Anfield against Liverpool represents the culmination of a lifelong dream.

The two Barnsley midfielders are former Liverpool academy players, with Yoganathan spending seven years at the club and Phillips eight before their releases.

Alongside teammates like defender Josh Earl, both players are avid Liverpool supporters.

“I was ecstatic when the draw was announced,” said Phillips, 27, in an interview with BBC Sport. “I ran upstairs shouting to my partner. I couldn't believe it; I’m still a huge Liverpool fan.”

“I attended the 4-0 Champions League victory over Barcelona in 2019. If Liverpool plays, I’m always tuned in, and I try to go to Anfield whenever I can.”

“Along with Vimal and some other Liverpool fans on the team, I've secured over 30 tickets for family and friends. They will be in the away section cheering us on.”

“I’ll get goosebumps when ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ is played. My dream was always to play for Liverpool, but not many achieve that, so I’m thrilled to play at Anfield with Barnsley. It will be a special experience.”

For Yoganathan, who turns 20 on Tuesday, this match adds Anfield to his list of iconic venues, which already includes Old Trafford and Wembley.

Last season, Barnsley faced Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, and Yoganathan played a key role in Oldham's promotion to League Two via the playoffs at Wembley after joining them on loan in January.

Earlier this season, he became the first Tamil footballer to score in the EFL, netting against Doncaster Rovers in League One. Yoganathan's family hails from Sri Lanka, and he grew up in Trelawnyd, a village in North Wales.

“Many players may never get to play at one of these iconic grounds, so it’s incredible that I’ve played at all three in just over a year,” Yoganathan remarked. “I remember seeing the draw and thinking, ‘What the hell?’ because I’ve had some amazing luck with the draws. People dream of stepping onto Anfield. I was a ball boy there as a child, so it will be an unforgettable experience.”

Yoganathan served as a ball boy at Anfield in 2018 when Divock Origi scored a last-minute winner against Everton in the Premier League, and he fondly remembers watching Philippe Coutinho during his time at the academy.

Phillips, who retired from cycle speedway at 16 after winning British titles, also has a connection to Coutinho. “I was 16 when I joined the first team for a pre-season tour in 2014 under Brendan Rodgers, and I was subbed on for Coutinho in one of the matches. It was surreal,” he recounted. “I had just left school and was training with legends like Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, and Coutinho.”

The excitement surrounding Yoganathan's signing was so significant that Rodgers, then Liverpool's manager, attended the day he joined at age eight, having been scouted when he was just six.

“I have a framed picture at home of me with Brendan and my parents,” Yoganathan shared.

However, by 2021, he found himself seeking a new club. Bobby Hassell, Barnsley’s academy manager and a former player in the cup tie at Anfield 18 years ago, offered him a chance in South Yorkshire.

“Getting released was tough,” Yoganathan admitted. “Any young player who has been released knows it’s one of the most devastating experiences, but it has helped me overcome challenges.”

“It has made me more resilient. Football is a game of opinions; one coach might start you in League One while others didn’t give me a chance in academy games. I’ve learned to overcome that and become stronger.”

Yoganathan’s football journey has been well-documented as he breaks barriers for South Asians in the sport, and the teenager expressed that it’s all a bit “mad.”

“I never thought I would have this platform to show that it is possible for a Tamil player to play professional football,” he added. “It’s a bit surreal to say, but I’m happy I can demonstrate that it’s achievable.”

As Monday night approaches, the Barnsley squad is preparing to face a formidable Liverpool team.

Brian Howard, who scored the injury-time winner when the teams last met in 2008, visited the squad earlier this week.

Barnsley has won in their last two visits to Anfield, with their last defeat there dating back to 1959.

Despite the 57-place gap between the teams in the league standings, the mood is optimistic for Conor Hourihane’s side. Conversations have already begun in the dressing room about which Liverpool shirt to swap after the match.

“We’ve had some discussions,” Yoganathan said. “We don’t know who will be playing, but there are many players whose shirts I would love to have.”

“I’ve admired Huge Ekitike and obviously [Virgil] van Dijk would be amazing. I’d be happy to take anyone’s shirt.”

For Phillips, there’s a bit of rivalry. “I went to the same school as Curtis Jones, although he’s younger than me, so I’d love to have his or Van Dijk’s shirt,” he noted. “But Curtis unfollowed me on Instagram, so he must think he’s big time now. Trent [Alexander-Arnold] still follows me and responds, so I’ll need to have a word with Curtis on the pitch.”

Regardless of social media dynamics and the number of Liverpool fans in the Barnsley squad, their goal is clear: to emulate the Tykes heroes who knocked out both Liverpool and Chelsea before losing to Cardiff in the FA Cup semi-final 18 years ago.

“We’re aiming for a win,” Yoganathan stated. “We’ll give it our best shot and see what happens,” Phillips added. “There’s no point in showing up if you don’t believe.”

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