Tykes' Phillips is relishing 'special' tie with old club

BARNSLEY midfielder Adam Phillips could be tempted to join in a chorus of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' before kickoff at Anfield this evening when the two sides meet in the FA Cup third round.

- By MARK WALKER

Lifelong Liverpool fan Phillips spent eight years in the club’s academy and the footballing gods will bring him full circle for a third-round tie, back to the stadium where he never played a senior game.

The 27-year-old, released by Liverpool aged 19, failed to make the breakthrough at subsequent clubs Norwich and Burnley, but kickstarted his career with Barnsley in 2022 and now hopes to topple his boyhood club.

Phillips said: “I spent a lot of time at Liverpool and never really got the chance to play in a full stadium at Anfield.

“I played there a few times, but only for the under-21s.

“This is one I’m really looking forward to. Walking out and listening to the iconic ‘You'll Never Walk Alone’. That will be special for me and just playing in an amazing stadium.