Andy Kanga went to the same school as Trent Alexander-Arnold – but it is Liverpool’s new right-back helping him follow a path to the top.

The content creator and semi-professional footballer recently took part in Jeremie Frimpong’s Pathways Tournament x Career Fair.

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The innovative event held earlier this summer is aimed at empowering youngsters to discover new career opportunities.

In a venture managed by Frimpong’s commercial manager, Cedrick Ofori, a former Man City starlet himself, the Dutch international has made a mission to help youngsters transitioning from professional academies.

The inaugural edition of the competition proved such a success that an expanded event is being planned next year at a bigger venue.

During an exclusive interview with talkSPORT.com, Kanga said: “I think things like that are great for the community and for the younger generation to see someone who comes from where they come from and goes on to do something like this just shows that they can do it too in the future.

“It shows the character of Jeremie as well to stay grounded and not forget his roots even after making a big move to Liverpool.”

In another timeline, Kanga could have been teammates with Frimpong at Anfield, having been scouted by the club as a youngster.

The Liverpudlian went to the same primary school as Alexander-Arnold, with another of the Reds’ former vice-captains, Jamie Carragher, present when he signed his first contract at the club.

“I’ve always said I couldn’t have had a better football foundation than starting out at Liverpool’s Academy,” Kanga added.

“You’re around top talent from an early age, you play on the best pitches, with top-level coaches, and it’s a proper competitive environment, so it demands the best out of you.

“Going to the same primary school as Trent and seeing him do well early on at Liverpool, it made me want to do the same when I got picked up at 6 or 7 as well.

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‘Jamie Carragher at the signing day was a big moment’

“Signing day was a big deal for the family. I had everyone come with me, my mum, dad, brother, and sister. Being able to see my mum and dad smile like that, obviously, made me happy.

“The academy was always a reminder to us of how big the club was. There were always pictures of legends all around the academy. John Barnes, Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher.

“The Champions League trophy was in the offices upstairs, so you’d always walk past and see it.

“So to have Jamie at the signing day was a big moment.”

As a rising star at Liverpool, Kanga moved to Rainhill High, which has been the club’s Academy Education Centre in Merseyside since 2009.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold journey to Liverpool injuries

Its illustrious alumni include Alexander-Arnold, Raheem Sterling, Jordan Ibe, Sheyi Ojo, Rhian Brewster, Curtis Jones, and Jerome Sinclair, the youngest player in Liverpool’s history.

However, devastatingly, Kanga’s progress was curtailed when he was 15 by a stress fracture in his back that sidelined him for nine months.

On his first game back to full fitness, a reckless tackle dealt damage to his ankle, and he left the match on crutches.

The timing of his two back-to-back injuries was especially tough, with Liverpool starting to hand out both contracts and opportunities.

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“The worst thing about injuries is just not being able to play,” Kanga explained to talkSPORT. “I remember having a stress fracture and being sidelined, and I’d be itching to get back on the pitch.

“Obviously the timing of the injury as well wasn’t ideal, with it being so close to decisions and on contracts and stuff.

“Even just not being able to play with your mates, you’re just focusing on getting back to 100 per cent. So that was tough as well.”

In Kanga’s age group, Niall Brookwell played under club icon Gerrard for the Reds Under-18 side at the age of 15.

Meanwhile, Leighton Clarkson, Jake Cain, Jack Walls, Remi Savage, and Owen Beck all went on to sign their first professional deals with Liverpool – with the latter, who joined Derby on loan this summer, making his first-team debut in the EFL Cup in October 2021.

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Liverpool contract and release

Kanga had been operating at right-back after overcoming his injuries, a position Liverpool already had an embarrassment of riches in.

Nottingham Forest defender Neco Williams was in the year above, while Alexander-Arnold was just breaking into the senior side.

And, having seen his playing time reduced following his injuries, Liverpool sadly informed Kanga he would be getting released.

Despite his established academy pedigree, trials at Leeds, West Brom, Bournemouth, and Bradford were all unsuccessful.

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Blackpool handed him a lifeline a month before his 17th birthday, but COVID soon shut down the football world – and Kanga was handed the news during lockdown in July 2020 that he was being let go.

He continued: “Going to trials at other clubs after being released was obviously a big culture shock, and it made me realise how good we had it at Liverpool.

“Signing at Blackpool, forever grateful for them for taking me on, but at the time, the club was actually in a difficult spot financially and even just the way the club was run.

“But despite the differences in levels of standards and stuff like that, it was honestly one of the best experiences I had in football, just from the group of lads who were there with me at the time.”

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Loughborough University to Jeremie Frimpong’s Pathways Initiative

Kanga’s two-year COVID-disrupted stint at Blackpool proved to be the final time he was registered to a professional club.

“I think the biggest challenges that footballers would need help with after getting released would be finding their identity away from football,” he claimed.

“After growing up and everyone expecting you to become a footballer, it can be tough mentally, but to have that support to help build players’ self-worth and careers away from the game.”

In October 2020, Kanga enrolled at Loughborough University, hoping offers would arrive while he played full-time for the campus team.

He studied business finance, with the plan being that by the following January, Kanga would be able to restart his football career.

However, having been let down by his agent, who failed to deliver on the promise of finding him a new club, Kanga instead found work elsewhere and even trained as a barber.

“Getting released at 18, you then have to face real life like everyone else and look for ways to take care of yourself,” he admitted.

“Obviously I was at uni and I remember doing the odd night shift at Amazon Warehouse, which I wouldn’t recommend to my worst enemy.

“But even being there, I used it to learn lessons, talk to people from different cultures and backgrounds and hear their stories as well.

“You have people who have been in there for years just to take care of the families, compared to a few of us who just wanted to fund a holiday or something. So that was a real eye-opener.”

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Raheem Sterling, Steven Gerrard or Paul Pogba are dream guests

Since November, Kanga has been a social media content creator for a player recruitment and aftercare platform, co-founded by Patrice Evra.

He also continues to play semi-pro football, documenting his bid to reach the professional ranks on his inspiring YouTube channel.

Kanga said: “The Best lesson football has taught me is to put yourself first.

“With my YouTube channel, I have a series where I document the journey where I try and show the realities of chasing your dreams along the way.

“I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing and playing challenges with [Newcastle’s] Anthony Elanga and [Newport’s] Cameron Antwi.

“One of my dream guests will be either Raheem Sterling, Steven Gerrard or Paul Pogba.”

But in the short term, fittingly, the pathway ahead is clear for the first time in years.

“My goals for the next 12 months are to just keep growing, improving and inspiring people to not give up on their dreams.”