Connor O’Brien, a 20-year-old right-back for Accrington Stanley, is living a childhood dream as he prepares to face his boyhood heroes, Liverpool, in the FA Cup at Anfield. O’Brien, a lifelong Liverpool and Accrington Stanley supporter, has a framed photograph at home capturing a cherished memory: a young O’Brien, decked out in a Liverpool kit, standing proudly between club legends Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. This encounter, which took place at a hotel in Accrington where the Liverpool squad was staying before a match against Burnley, fueled O’Brien’s aspirations to one day play on the hallowed Anfield turf.
O’Brien’s journey to this momentous occasion has been filled with anticipation and a touch of anxiety. His excitement about experiencing the electrifying atmosphere of Anfield, particularly the iconic rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” has been tinged with concern over a recent three-match suspension. A retrospective ban for violent conduct, following an off-the-ball incident in a League Two match against Salford, threatened to derail his FA Cup dream. The postponement of Accrington’s Boxing Day and subsequent league matches due to weather conditions ultimately worked in his favor, allowing him to serve his suspension without missing the crucial clash against Liverpool. The incident served as a harsh but valuable lesson for the young defender.
O’Brien’s footballing roots run deep in Accrington. He joined the club at the age of eight, captained the Under-18s in the FA Youth Cup, and eventually broke into the first team last season, earning a call-up to the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad. As a local boy, he has witnessed some memorable moments from the Accrington Stanley terraces, including their League Cup victory over Premier League side Burnley in 2016 and their promotion to League One in 2018. These experiences have solidified his connection to the club and fueled his desire to succeed.
Liverpool’s Champions League triumph in 2019 and their Premier League title win in 2020 hold special significance for O’Brien, further cementing his admiration for the club. Steven Gerrard, a player he idolized for his leadership qualities and ability to change the game with a powerful strike or a crunching tackle, remains an inspiration. Currently, he admires the skills of Mo Salah and the defensive prowess of Virgil van Dijk, and hopes to exchange shirts with one of them after the match, although he knows he’ll face stiff competition from his teammates.
While acknowledging the vast gulf between Accrington Stanley, a League Two side, and the Premier League giants, O’Brien refuses to be intimidated. He expresses the team’s desire to face Liverpool’s strongest lineup, emphasizing the importance of challenging themselves against the best players. He even jokingly hopes to avoid facing Luis Diaz, one of Liverpool’s most dangerous attackers. Despite the daunting task ahead, O’Brien and his teammates are determined to give their all and aim for a historic upset.
O’Brien has also been impressed by the impact of new Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp in the summer. He believes that Slot has brought a fresh perspective and has overseen a successful rebuild of the squad. O’Brien’s optimism extends to predicting a treble for Liverpool – the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup – with the caveat that Accrington could spoil their quadruple hopes by knocking them out of the FA Cup. While recognizing the magnitude of the challenge, O’Brien holds onto the dream of a giant-killing, emphasizing their intent to compete and win, a testament to the spirit and ambition of the young defender and his team.
