Manchester City youth captain announces move to Liverpool in Instagram post.

Liverpool Bolster Youth Ranks with Another Manchester City Prospect

Liverpool have further enhanced their youth setup by securing another highly regarded prospect from Manchester City’s academy, with confirmation coming directly via social media.

City academy midfielder Lucas Alford revealed on Instagram that he has signed with the Reds, posting photos in Liverpool training gear as he officially joined the club.

Another Youth Talent Switches Sides in the Rivalry

This isn’t the first time Liverpool have recruited from their rivals’ youth ranks. Last year, they brought in defender Lucas Clarke from City, who is now progressing well with the U18s.

Alford, 16, follows in those footsteps. A former youth captain at City, he’s stood out in national tournaments over the past year. Comfortable as both a defensive midfielder and a box-to-box No.8, Alford adds both versatility and leadership to Liverpool’s academy setup.

He joins a talented U16 group at Kirkby, which already features players like Joshua Abe, Erik Farkas, and Vincent Joseph.

Liverpool hope Alford, like Clarke, will rise quickly through the youth ranks and eventually compete for a place in the senior squad.

Why Liverpool’s Pathway Appeals More than City’s

One key reason young players are choosing Liverpool is the club’s strong track record of promoting academy talent. From Trent Alexander-Arnold to Curtis Jones, Conor Bradley, and Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool consistently offer a route to first-team football.

Although City and Liverpool have been fierce competitors in recent years, this transfer reflects growing links between the clubs. Notably, former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders is now on City’s coaching staff.

Signings like Alford suggest that Liverpool’s long-term vision and development pathway are appealing to top young players—even from their closest rivals—as the club continues to build under new manager Arne Slot.