Liverpool v Barnsley: Meet the Tykes duo out to upset their old club

For Adam Phillips and Vimal Yoganathan, it could be the fulfilment of a lifelong dream when Barnsley take on Liverpool at Anfield on Monday.

The two Tykes midfielders came through the Liverpool academy – with Yoganathan spending seven years on Merseyside and Phillips eight – before they were released.

Alongside some of their other team-mates, like defender Josh Earl, the pair are both Liverpool supporters too.

«I was buzzing [when the draw happened],» Phillips, 27, tells BBC Sport. «I ran upstairs screaming at my missus. I couldn’t believe it, I’m still a massive Liverpool fan.

«I was at the 4-0 [Champions League] win against Barcelona in 2019. If Liverpool are on, I’m zoned in and whenever I can, I’ll go to Anfield to watch them too.

«There’s me, Vimal and a few other Liverpool fans in the side. I’ve got more than 30 tickets for my family and friends. They’ll all be in the away end getting behind the boys.

«I’ll get goosebumps when You’ll Never Walk Alone is played. The dream was always to play for Liverpool but not many make it, so I’m happy to play there for Barnsley. It’ll be a special experience.»

For Yoganathan, who turns 20 on Tuesday, there is the opportunity to add Anfield alongside Old Trafford and Wembley as some of the iconic grounds he has played at already.

Last season, Barnsley played Manchester United in the Carabao Cup and the Welshman also played an influential role as Oldham won promotion to League Two via the play-offs at Wembley after he joined them on loan in January.

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

«A lot of their players in their career may not even play at one of them so it’s mad that I get to do all three in the space of just over a year,» Yoganathan tells BBC Sport.

«I remember seeing the draw and thinking ‘what the hell’, because I’ve had crazy luck with the draws. People dream about stepping out at Anfield. I was a ball boy there when I was young so it’ll be a memorable experience.»

Yoganathan was a ball boy at Anfield in 2018 when Divock Origi scored an injury-time winner against Everton in the Premier League, and «loved watching» Philippe Coutinho when he was in the club’s academy.

As for Phillips, who retired from cycle speedway at 16 after winning British titles, there is a link with Coutinho too.

«I was 16 when I went to America with the first team for a pre-season tour in 2014 under Brendan Rodgers and I got subbed on for Coutinho in one of the games. It was surreal,» he recalls.

«I’d just left school and was training with Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez and Coutinho.»

Such was the hype around Yoganathan’s signing that Rodgers, the Liverpool boss at the time, was there on the day he joined at the age of eight. The Reds had scouted him when he was six.

«I’ve still got the picture framed up at home with me next to Brendan and my parents,» says Yoganathan.

Yet by 2021, he was looking for another club. That was when Bobby Hassell, the academy manager at Barnsley – who also played in the cup tie at Anfield 18 years ago – gave him an opportunity in South Yorkshire.

«It was tough [getting released],» says Yoganathan. «Any lad who’s been released from a football club knows it’s one of the most devastating experiences, but it’s helped me overcome challenges.

«As a person, it’s helped me become more resilient. Football’s a game of opinions. One person might start you in League One whereas other coaches didn’t want to give me a chance in academy games. I’ve learned to overcome that and become more resilient.»

Yoganathan’s footballing journey has been well documented as a trailblazer for South Asians and the teenager insists it’s all a bit «mad».

«I never thought that I’d be able to have this platform to showcase to people that it is possible for a Tamil player to play professional football,» he adds. «It’s a bit mad to say but I’m happy I can show that it is possible.»

And so to Monday night under the lights against what is expected to be a strong Liverpool side.

Brian Howard, who scored the injury-time winner when the sides last met in 2008, was at Oakwell with the squad earlier in the week.

Barnsley have won at Anfield on their last two visits, with their last defeat at Liverpool coming in 1959.

While 57 places separate the teams, the omens are good for Conor Hourihane’s side. Either way, the conversations have already started in the dressing room about which Liverpool shirt to swap for.

«We’ve had a little bit [of chat],» says Yoganathan. «We don’t know who’s playing but there’s loads of players whose shirts I’d want.

«I’ve liked watching Huge Ekitike and obviously [Virgil] van Dijk would be an amazing one. There’s loads. I’ll take anyone’s shirt and be happy.»

For Phillips though, there is a little bone to pick.

«I went to the same school as Curtis Jones, although he’s a bit younger, so potentially his or Van Dijk’s shirt would be class,» he adds.

«But Curtis unfollowed me on Instagram so he must think he’s big time now. Trent [Alexander-Arnold] still follows me and responds but I’ll have to have a word with Curtis on the pitch.»

Regardless of who follows who on social media and the amount of Liverpool fans in this Barnsley side, the aim is clear – to follow in the footsteps of the Tykes heroes who knocked out the Reds and Chelsea before losing to Cardiff in the FA Cup semi-final 18 years ago.

«We’re aiming for a win,» says Yoganathan.

«We’ll give it our best shot and see what happens,» adds Phillips. «There’s no point turning up if you don’t believe».