Cameron Brannagan (Liverpool > Oxford)

Liverpool transfer news: Barcelona eye deal for Reds youngster Cameron Brannagan

Barcelona want to acquire one of Liverpool’s brightest teenage talents in a move which would deprive Brendan Rodgers of a midfielder who is on the brink of breaking through into his first-team squad.
Cameron Brannagan, who turned 18 earlier this month, underlined his status as arguably the club’s finest academy player with a stellar substitute’s performance for the first team in last week’s friendly against Shamrock Rovers. Barcelona – who have watched him for the last year – have received rave scouting reports and are seeking him for their B side. After a day of rumours on Thursday about the Spanish club’s interest in him, Brannagan enigmatically tweeted “…”. The ellipsis may have been his way of saying “watch this space”.
Liverpool’s academy coaching staff view Brannagan as a midfielder with the potential to be a top player, owing to his balance, vision and his ability with both feet. He operates as an attacking midfielder, though not in the hole behind the striker.
Some equate his balance with that of Jack Wilshere, though comparisons of any such kind are always dangerous at such an early age. He and Liverpool’s 17-year-old midfielder Jordan Rossiter are seen by some as the academy’s two brightest hopes, though Rossiter, a Liverpudlian, has been the subject of more attention in a city which is always looking for its next big footballing star.
Brannagan was brought up in Salford, in a staunch Manchester United-supporting family, though Liverpool spotted him very early and signed him to their academy as a seven-year-old. United then realised his potential and attempted to bring him to Carrington, though  Brannagan insisted that he wanted to stick with the club who had first shown interest in him.
The dimension to his game which Brannagan has yet to develop is his personality on the field. He is by no means brash and this may prove to be a significant factor if it comes down to him choosing between staying in the North-west or leaving for a new life in Spain.
Rodgers rates Brannagan highly enough to have named him on the bench for Liverpool’s FA Cup third-round tie with Oldham Athletic in January. If the game – which Liverpool won 2-0 – had been a less tense affair, Brannagan would probably have come on. He is likely to get his chance next season and Rodgers would expect to be able to keep him out of the Catalans’ clutches.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/liverpool-transfer-news-barcelona-eye-deal-for-reds-youngster-cameron-brannagan-9429041.html

Racer/Debs, if we lose him how much are we losing? Chances of him making and improving the first team?

I've been watching the under 21s since December ish and Brannagan is a player I like. Not as commanding and passing not as expansive as Rossiter, not as creative as Teixeira, but a player who likes to keep busy in the middle, demands the ball, defensively okay, good work rate and has good composure for a kid. He can play as a #10 or in central midfield.

Personally, I don't think he's as stand out as Rossiter and Teixeira, but he has all the key attributes to become a very good player. But saying that, It doesn't matter if you have all the potential in the world. If they don't get the opportunity and don't have the determination and desire then it's pretty much pointless.

Anyway, I think it would be disappointed if we sold him without a buy back clause but I would rather us loan him out. I personally think we'll miss him for the u21s, I'd rather he stayed and given a chance to prove his worth as he's been with us since, 8 or 9 years of age?

Racer/Debs, if we lose him how much are we losing? Chances of him making and improving the first team?

We'd be losing a massive future star Brian.  He's a midfielder mainly central, on the right or on the right of the front 3.

He's quick, direct, has a good shot on him, can score goals, can pass, he tracks back and I'd be gutted and quite frankly, I'd be very shocked if we let him go.

Not sure if you watched the Shamrock game mate but he made a difference when he came on.  He upped the workrate and started quite a few attacks down the right.

I agree with some of what PurpleMonkey says though, he doesn't have the guile of Tex but he has other qualities to his game.

Signed a new deal apparently. Well in lad.

@SportsPeteO  ·  4h 4 hours ago
Liverpool midfielder Cameron Brannagan has agreed a new deal at the club. #LFC

Signed a new deal apparently. Well in lad.

@SportsPeteO  ·  4h 4 hours ago
Liverpool midfielder Cameron Brannagan has agreed a new deal at the club. #LFC

Great news!

this guy is the real deal, hope he's part of our pre season tour and plays the qualifiers for europe

Congratulations on making your LFC debut

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P4r0HYCgI0

He's signed a new contract today. 

Congratulations Cam, looking forward to seeing if he flourishes under Klopp when he gets the chance.

Thought the lad played really well today very neat and tidy and was very unlucky not to get on the score sheet in the first half. Hope he keeps getting his chances, as on that display albeit against lesser opposition there's a little gem coming through.

Surprised this thread hasn't been bumped up, thought he was our best player last night.

We could have a good little player on our hands here.

Surprised this thread hasn't been bumped up, thought he was our best player last night.

We could have a good little player on our hands here.

I agree, was my MotM

Well played Branners. 

Did exactly how I expected him to do, great eye for a pass, gets stuck in, isn't afraid of big burly fuckers, nice control, not afraid to have a shot and delivers a neat and generally accurate dead ball.

Did anyone else notice how he was organising the midfield throughout the game?  Constantly pointing and shouting instructions to his team mates? 

No surprise really seeing as he's our u21s Captain, was generating interest from Barca when he was still just 17 and he's still only 19. 

He's a "learner", one that Klopp will love to work with as he has great game intelligence, unlike some of our seniors.

Well played young man, my MotM!

Easily our best player last night, a commanding performance in the middle of the pitch that a lot of seniors should take note of.

Fuking quality the lad was.

Brannagan had a wicked shot that required an excellent save. I like this kid.

Very impressed, got Steven Gerrard's set piece and cross.

Tidy, good shot, good touch, good passing. He will get better, one to watch for sure

Excellent performance by the young man, and a breathe of fresh air in terms of delivery from set pieces this year to boot!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edpaT7fcWdo

Keep on working hard and I think we have a player on our hands. He knows what he is doing. Nice one lad.

Needs games. Done nothing Saturday to get himself left out for tomorrow night. Will he start?? I'll be shocked if he does.

Take a punt on him like we did With Redkapp, Stevie, Robbie, Owen mcmanaman Jones and so on. Young inexperienced players but talented and were given a chance in the first team to show there abilities.

These days you just keep going back to the same established players who constantly underwhelm

Look so much more comfortable playing more central and a really impressive game at the weekend.

Looked really good west Ham at home, one for the future and one I think who can actually make it in our first team.

Great little cameo today, showing he is comfortable on the ball and can play a pass. Hopefully he has done enough to make sure we see more of him with the last two games of the season.

Should be playing instead of Stewart in the centre or instead of Ibe behind the striker.

brannagan is showing to be a nice little player.

happy 20th birthday.

https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolFC/videos/10154358140362573/

I've been saying this a lot in match threads. I think this guy is quality. This is what he can do, and in games I've been impressed with him. I think given the time Stewart has had, or Ibe... Why not Brannagan? Through the academy from age 5... Come onnnnn... It sure sounds tempting to me.

https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolFC/videos/10154358140362573/

I've been saying this a lot in match threads. I think this guy is quality. This is what he can do, and in games I've been impressed with him. I think given the time Stewart has had, or Ibe... Why not Brannagan? Through the academy from age 5... Come onnnnn... It sure sounds tempting to me.

From what I have read/heard Brannagan is one of the ones that Jürgen really likes the look of.

https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolFC/videos/10154358140362573/

I've been saying this a lot in match threads. I think this guy is quality. This is what he can do, and in games I've been impressed with him. I think given the time Stewart has had, or Ibe... Why not Brannagan? Through the academy from age 5... Come onnnnn... It sure sounds tempting to me.

Been waiting for him to make a breakthrough into the first team for a while. Even though we don't have European football next season I hope Klopp takes more of a chance on him and features him alongside somebody like Can in a few league games. He's soon going to be at the stage where he needs proper games to aid his development.

He looks like he needs filling out a bit, we know Jürgen likes big physical specimens.

Get him on the same weights regime as Origi.

Hope he gets some more minutes tonight.  The more he plays the better he'll get.

Liverpool FC's Cameron Brannagan says Fleetwood is MASSIVE for him.

    11:24, 13 Jul 2016
    Updated 12:31, 13 Jul 2016
    By David Prentice

Liverpool midfielder desperate to make an impression Jürgen Klopp in pre-season.

IT might be a low-key pre-season friendly at a 5,327 capacity League One Stadium, but for Liverpool midfielder Cameron Brannagan tonight’s trip to Fleetwood FC is “massive.”

The 20-year-old made nine senior appearances last season - eight of them under Jürgen Klopp - and was handed his full Premier League debut in the last match of the league campaign at West Bromwich Albion.

And he is keen to catch Klopp’s eye again in pre-season.

“Hopefully I can work my hardest in the games and in training and try to prove what I’m about. The gaffer is watching and I might get a chance this year,” he told liverpoolfc.com.

Brannagan was named in the starting XI for Friday’s opening friendly at Tranmere Rovers and is hoping for more exposure at the League One side tonight.

“There are a few lads up here this year, some of the younger lads are here, the older bunch as well and some of the players who were out on loan,” he added.  Everyone is dying to impress the manager; he is the new manager and everyone is keen to get going.  You can see that in training with everyone working so hard, especially with the running we’re doing – everyone is running their socks off.  To get fit and to be able to play to your best potential, that’s what you need to do.  Being fit helps you do that, especially at the end of games when it’s hard and you can dig out a result.  It’s always good to show the manager at that time that you’re still ready to go.”

So far Brannagan has not been allowed to leave the Reds and gain experience on loan, but he is open to the prospect.

“I’m only a young lad and loans are a big thing at my age – going out and experiencing what it’s like to play,” he said.  I don’t really know what I’ll be doing yet; I’ll speak to the gaffer about it in my own time and when the gaffer wants to speak to me, I’m happy to talk about it.  But I’m just going to keep training and working hard, and when the games come try to impress the manager as much as I can.  That’s my aim this year – train hard and work hard and see where it takes me.”

Thought he did well in  making himself available, linking defense and attack and overall positioning. Played a lot of simple balls and a couple of efforts didn't come off, but I thought acquitted himself quite well on the night against admittedly not very good opposition in the 2nd half.

Really like the look of this lad.

Could show some of the more "senior" lads how to take set pieces.

Ready for the first team? Save us wasting money in the transfer market?

Ready for the first team? Save us wasting money in the transfer market?

We have a couple of fellas that might be ready this season and same for next...I am sure the gaffer is looking at that very closely and its great to see the emphasis being placed with Linders and his developmental group.

Not in the team sheet for Huddersfield. Hmmmm.

I see now he is resting a sore hamstring and will travel to U.S. Good.

When he came on last night I thought he read the game very well. Kept dropping almost behind the back line to get the ball and sort out the problems the defenders had with building any attacking. Only then did we start to see Coutinho get some opportunities with the ball in the forward third (complemented Henderson as well). I realize he's likely to leave on loan to get regular first team football, but I hope it's with a Premiership side because he is definitely good enough for that.

When he came on last night I thought he read the game very well. Kept dropping almost behind the back line to get the ball and sort out the problems the defenders had with building any attacking. Only then did we start to see Coutinho get some opportunities with the ball in the forward third (complemented Henderson as well). I realize he's likely to leave on loan to get regular first team football, but I hope it's with a Premiership side because he is definitely good enough for that.

I'm not sure he will Rob.  Wigan wanted him and Jürgen said he was staying put although if a PL club comes in for him it might be different.

I get the feeling he likes him and wants to develop him in house.

I'm not sure he will Rob.  Wigan wanted him and Jürgen said he was staying put although if a PL club comes in for him it might be different.

I get the feeling he likes him and wants to develop him in house.

Agree about Klopp liking him. Whatever is best in the long run for Brannagan as an LFC player.

This Wigan loan deal has resurfaced in the express
and saying deal could be done in the next 24hours
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/696880/Liverpool-complete-midfielder-transfer-Deal-could-be-done-next-24-hours-News-Gossip

if he is not to have minutes with Liverpool this season , its a good move for the club and the player, and for wigan too I guess
YNWA

https://twitter.com/anfieldhq/status/766576798964518912

I like this clause, it gives the club an indication of how serious other clubs are of adding the player to their squad. I'd like for us to never go through an Ojo experience again where he's sat on the bench for some guy that struggles to cross a ball properly.

https://twitter.com/anfieldhq/status/808613066183208961

https://twitter.com/anfieldhq/status/808613066183208961

Good loan for him that.  Chasing promotion and working with a very good manager who did wonders when at Bradford City.

Not sure how much game time he'll get as looking at their squad they're pretty stacked with midfielders, most of whom have played around 20 games already this season.

Hope it works for him. Still like him very much as a player, but one thing he's never going to be is big. Of course, if we keep picking up injuries, Jürgen may have no choice but to keep him.

Hope it works for him. Still like him very much as a player, but one thing he's never going to be is big. Of course, if we keep picking up injuries, Jürgen may have no choice but to keep him.

That's true mate but Cou isn't exactly a giant, neither is Mane or Lallana.  I know he doesn't have their skill set yet but I still have hope that he can develop into the Lallana role if any. 

He's two footed, good in tight spaces, a good passer, has an excellent dead ball delivery and scores his fair share of goals.  It'll take a couple of years at least to displace him so it depends if he's prepared to wait but he'll still be quite young at 22/23.

Bolton is a good spot for him, probably will end up being around his level too i should think.

That's true mate but Cou isn't exactly a giant, neither is Mane or Lallana.  I know he doesn't have their skill set yet but I still have hope that he can develop into the Lallana role if any. 

He's two footed, good in tight spaces, a good passer, has an excellent dead ball delivery and scores his fair share of goals.  It'll take a couple of years at least to displace him so it depends if he's prepared to wait but he'll still be quite young at 22/23.

I like Brannagan but he is same age as Can?.......Older than Grujic and Origi he really needs to kick on now.

I like Brannagan but he is same age as Can?.......Older than Grujic and Origi he really needs to kick on now.

He was 20 in May so about 3 weeks younger than Grujic and 13 months younger than Origi. 

His size is what's held him back compared to the other 2 mate, especially for the PL he's considered too lightweight so needs to wait for his body to strengthen naturally as it matures.  It'll do him good getting half a season in the rough and tumble of League 1, that's what he needs to do now, learn how to handle himself at pro level against seasoned pros, his talent will do the rest.

Edit - just realised I confused you with the 22/23 age.  I meant he'll be that age before he's displacing Lallana if he hangs around that long but that would be a great age to be doing it as he's still young enough to develop further.

There was a bit on the bbc saying Bolton won't bring anyone in during january.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/move-liverpool-midfielder-hold-brannagan-12382572

Sorry to hear Cameron is out injured for 3-4 weeks. Hopefully he will recover in time to make the loan move.

Good luck Cameron

https://twitter.com/MelissaReddy_/status/825010533313236994

Good move for him.  Fleetwood are doing well, have a great manager and Joe Maguire's just moved there.

Hope he does well. Like him as a player, good on the ball and hard working. Good luck to him.

I think he'll go down the route of Conor Coady and end up having a decent career in the championship.

All the best Cameron, Fleetwood are a good side, he'll do alright there.

Just read that this guy is a substitute for Fleetwood. I thought he was quite promising last season, has he taken backward steps this year?

I see he's back after Fleetwood Town were eliminated from the promotion playoffs, and is credited with being a top player in a friendly win over Mansfield.

I think he's off this summer, however.

https://twitter.com/lfc/status/951487673092460545

https://twitter.com/lfc/status/951487673092460545

Good luck YNWA

Such a shame. Always looked a cut above in the ressies and solid in his pre-season games with the first team.

All the best, Cam. I'm sure League One won't be the highest level for him.

All the best. Ynwa

Seems only two minutes since he was being linked with Real Madrid & Barcelona. Can only wish him all the best at Oxford. They're not far off the playoff positions. just 3-6 points depending on what other teams do with their game in hand.

Just "scored" a free kick to send Oxford to pens against Swansea in the League Cup.

Belted a free kick from the edge of the box as hard as he could and it took a huge deflection off the wall. I do prefer that style from that range though rather than the usual clip and get it nowhere because it doesn't have time to come back down.

And then he's thumped in the winning penalty in the shootout.