Liverpool is a club that has been built on legends, on stories of boys who walked through the gates of the academy and later walked onto the pitch at Anfield to write history in front of the Kop. From Robbie Fowler to Michael Owen, from Steven Gerrard to Trent Alexander-Arnold, the academy has always been the beating heart of the Reds’ future. And now, in the shadows of Kirkby, another story is being whispered. A name is being mentioned with excitement and disbelief. Harrison O’Brien. A boy being described as a “young Erling Haaland.” A boy who has just scored six goals in one game for Liverpool’s under-15s. A boy who could, if destiny allows, become the next big hero at Anfield.
The news broke quietly but spread quickly. Lewis Steele of Mail Sport shared how a message landed in his phone, a message filled with excitement and awe. It said simply: “He is scary good, like a young Erling Haaland.” Six goals in a 7–1 win over Stoke City’s under-15s is not something that can be ignored. Six goals in a single game is the type of performance that makes scouts, coaches, and fans sit up and ask, “Who is this kid?”
For Liverpool, it felt like déjà vu. The same academy that gave them Fowler, the “God” of the Kop, and Owen, the teenage wonderkid who took the Premier League by storm, might just have unearthed another prodigy. And the comparison to Haaland, one of the most feared strikers on the planet, is not one that gets thrown around lightly.
Harrison O’Brien did not come out of nowhere. Eighteen months ago, Liverpool secured his signature from the 7 Elite Academy. Even back then, whispers surrounded him. Coaches spoke about his attitude, his hunger, and his insane work rate. When he was just 13, one of his coaches called him “fantastic” and praised his commitment, noting how he scored 24 goals in just six games in a single month. Those are numbers you rarely see at any level, let alone at such a young age. It was clear from day one: O’Brien was special.
The Liverpool academy is a demanding place. Many talented boys walk through its doors, but not all of them make it. Some fade away, others buckle under the pressure, and only a few rise to the very top. What makes O’Brien stand out is not just his ability to score goals but the way he plays the game. He has the physical presence of a striker who looks older than his years, the ruthlessness in front of goal, and the confidence to demand the ball again and again. He does not hide. He wants to score. He wants to win.
The comparison to Erling Haaland comes from that same fearless style. Haaland is known for his power, speed, and ice-cold finishing. To even be mentioned in the same sentence as the Manchester City superstar at such a young age is huge praise. But for O’Brien, it is also a burden. Because comparisons can be dangerous. They can weigh down a young player with expectations too heavy to carry. Yet, if there is any truth to the whispers, Liverpool may just have a gem who could light up Anfield in the years to come.
The timing of O’Brien’s rise feels important. Liverpool are in a moment of change. Jurgen Klopp, the man who built a dynasty, has moved on, and Arne Slot is now at the helm, tasked with shaping the next chapter of the club’s history. With legends like Mohamed Salah nearing the final chapters of their Liverpool careers, the need for new heroes to emerge is stronger than ever. And what better story could there be than a boy from the academy rising to become the next superstar?
It is worth remembering how Fowler’s rise began. He scored five goals on his first full start for Liverpool in a League Cup tie in 1993. Owen announced himself to the world with a stunning solo goal against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup when he was just 18. Even Trent Alexander-Arnold, now vice-captain, started as a boy from West Derby who dreamt of walking out at Anfield wearing the red shirt. Every era at Liverpool has its symbol, and O’Brien’s six-goal explosion has already placed him in the conversation as the next one.
But talent alone is not enough. Many players have been called “the next big thing” only to fade away. What will determine O’Brien’s path is his mindset. And from everything his coaches have said, his attitude is flawless. He trains hard, he listens, he learns, and he does not get carried away. This is what separates future stars from forgotten names.
Joshua Abe is a good example of how quickly things can move at Liverpool. Just 15 years old, he has already made his debut for the under-21s and represented England at youth level. If O’Brien continues on this trajectory, the pathway is clear. Liverpool are not afraid to give young talent a chance. We saw it last season with Jayden Danns, who played in the Carabao Cup final and scored important goals at Anfield. We saw it with Rio Ngumoha, who found the net on his Premier League debut. Liverpool’s academy is alive and thriving, and O’Brien is now one of its brightest flames.
For fans, the excitement is almost uncontrollable. Social media has already started buzzing with clips, photos, and discussions about the boy being compared to Haaland. Supporters dream of seeing him lead the line at Anfield, scoring in front of the Kop, and becoming a nightmare for defenders in the Premier League. Some even imagine him one day facing Haaland himself, Liverpool versus Manchester City, a new chapter in one of football’s greatest rivalries.
Yet, caution is needed. Haaland at 25 already has more than 300 career goals. He is a once-in-a-generation talent, a striker who rewrote the rules of goalscoring. For O’Brien, the journey is only beginning. There will be challenges, setbacks, injuries, and pressures that test his resilience. But if he continues to score, continues to improve, and continues to dream, Liverpool may have something extraordinary on their hands.
The academy coaches at Kirkby know what it takes to nurture young stars. They saw the rise of Trent, Curtis Jones, and now Danns and Ngumoha. They know when to push, when to protect, and when to unleash. O’Brien is in the perfect environment to grow. Surrounded by mentors, inspired by history, and driven by his own ambition, his future is one to watch.
Football has always loved stories of young boys who rise to greatness. Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene with a thunderbolt for Everton at 16. Kylian Mbappe stunned the world as a teenager at Monaco. Lionel Messi debuted for Barcelona at 17 and never looked back. Every great career starts with whispers, with a moment that makes people say, “This kid is different.” For Harrison O’Brien, his six goals against Stoke may be that moment.
What comes next will define him. Will he become Liverpool’s next great striker, the boy who follows in Fowler’s and Owen’s footsteps? Or will the weight of expectation be too heavy? Nobody can say for sure. But right now, in September 2025, one thing is certain: Liverpool fans have a new name to dream about. Harrison O’Brien. Remember it. Because this story is only beginning.
And perhaps, just perhaps, in a few years’ time, when the Kop roars his name after a goal against Manchester United or in a Champions League night at Anfield, people will look back on this week and say: “That was when it all started. That was when we knew Liverpool had found their young Haaland.”
For now, he remains a boy, playing with joy, scoring for fun, and chasing a dream. But in football, dreams have a way of becoming reality at Anfield. O’Brien’s journey is one that every Liverpool supporter will follow with hope, belief, and excitement
