When Trent and Liverpool are mentioned in the same sentence, it can only mean one thing: magic!
But Trent Alexander-Arnold isn’t the only one attracting attention at the AXA Training Centre.
His namesake, 17-year-old Trent Kone-Doherty, also attracted attention.
In July 2022, the somewhat unknown Irish youngster made the big move from Derry City to Liverpool for a reported fee of ÂŁ175,000, excluding potential add-ons.
Known simply as the boy with the same name as a certain first-team player, Kone-Doherty signed his first professional contract with the Red Devils this week and is being hailed as a player to watch.
This comes as no surprise to members of the Irish football community, where his talent has always been evident.
Known simply as the boy with the same name as a certain first-team player, Kone-Doherty signed his first professional contract with the Red Devils this week and is being hailed as a player to watch.
This comes as no surprise to members of the Irish football community, where his talent has always been evident.
Derry City U19 coach Gerard Boyle worked with Kone-Doherty at U17 level and cannot speak highly enough of the winger: “He is very coachable,” said Boyle.
By the time he came to me at U17 level he was already very proficient technically and that is a credit to him and to the former Foyle Harps and Derry coaches.
“He absorbs tactical information very well and is very willing to come up with tactical solutions to some of the situations we ask of them.
» These achievements did not go unnoticed, earning him his first call-up to the Ireland squad in September 2021 in a double-header against Malta, where he scored a superb free-kick.
He then played for Ireland in the Victory Shield later that year.
But it wasn’t until April 2022 that Kone-Doherty really made a name for himself on the international stage when he was named Player of the Tournament by Miljan Miljanic in Serbia, scoring three goals in two games and tore through the defenses.
He continued to shine at club level, where he was given a number in Derry City’s first team as a 15-year-old in 2022.
He played for the Candystripes that pre-season while Liverpool and Celtic were keep an eye on his development.
The feeling around Derry is that he won’t be there long enough to play regularly in the first team.
Although Kone-Doherty appeared in many friendly matches, he never appeared on the field for the senior team.
Derry knew they couldn’t keep a child who had the world at his feet.
In July 2022, his dream came true, leaving Derry for Merseyside to sign for Liverpool, and his former manager knows all too well the qualities that have helped the Red Devils thrive strong for the agile teenager.
He said: “Trent has always had great close control and can handle the ball very well with both feet.
He has incredible acceleration and deceleration.
Trent likes to run towards defenders with the ball and can get past them before making a good pass or shot.
“Her attitude was very good, polite and receptive to information and advice.
He is highly regarded by all his teammates.
He never stops smiling.
It didn’t take long for Kone-Doherty to settle into Liverpool, scoring twice against Man Utd Under-18s in his third game for the club.
He soon started to become more than the Irish lad with the same name as TAA, scoring 16 and assisting four whilst featuring for the 18’s, 19’s and 21’s in the 22/23 season.
Unfortunately for the youngster, his season was cut short when he suffered an injury in March while playing for the Ireland Under-17 team, keeping him out of action for almost five months.
That would mean missing out on the European Under-17 Championship as Ireland reached the quarter-finals, raising the question: How far could Ireland have gone with Kone-Doherty on board?
His start to the 23/24 season has been just as impressive as his first year on Merseyside.
Before the season, he returned to his hometown of Derry with his Liverpool teammates to compete in the NI Super Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament.
And he started the season playing for the U18 team with 5 goals in 5 games and 2 assists.
Some of his finishes were terrifying and the improvement he made with his weaker left foot was noticeable.
Kone-Doherty has also scored for Liverpool’s U21 team this season.
But the biggest step he has taken so far is moving into training with the first team in preparation for the Merseyside derby.
Boyle is not surprised by Kone-Doherty’s quick adaptation to life on Merseyside: “I always thought he was qualified,” he said.
He’s also always humble and hardworking, which always helps him.
Add to that his excellent athletic record.
“However, training with the first team at the start of the second season was an experience in every way.
” There’s no doubt Kone-Doherty will be smiling again this week as he hopes to one day emulate the other Trent in camp.
