Liverpool FC officially release eight players

Liverpool FC have confirmed their annual retained list, with eight players sadly set to leave the club at the end of the season.

The end of the season brings clarity for some youngsters with new deals and promotions, but it can also be a bruising moment for Academy players who learn they will be moving on after years at Kirkby.

For many, these decisions arrive just as they are breaking into U21 football or taking their first steps into the senior game, which makes these announcements particularly emotional for staff, team‑mates and families alike.

In a club statement, the club confirmed the eight academy players will be free agents this summer:

“Kareem Ahmed, Emmanuel Airoboma, James Balagizi, DJ Bernard, Oakley Cannonier, Josh Davidson, Terence Miles and Jacob Poytress will be embarking on new chapters in their careers.”

“Everybody at the club would like to thank the players for all their contributions and wish each of them the best for the future.”

Among the names confirmed to be leaving, Oakley Cannonier will stand out for many supporters who have followed the youth sides closely.

The forward is famous for acting as the quick‑thinking ball boy for Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner against Barcelona, joined Liverpool from Leeds United at U12 level and developed into a prolific goalscorer in the Academy ranks. He confirmed his exit on social media in February.

James Balagizi is another well‑known Academy graduate who has been on the fringes of the first team in recent years.

The midfielder has been with Liverpool since U11 level and earned a place on the bench for the senior side on a couple of occasions. Balagizi spent time on loan at Crawley Town in League Two, and then to Wigan Athletic in League One.

Injuries and limited minutes meant those spells never quite turned into a permanent breakthrough, and he now leaves Anfield looking to kick‑start his career with regular senior football.

Click here to read article