Few footballers have a career path as unique as Daniel Atherton's. The 25-year-old goalkeeper has gone from making a surprise senior debut for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp to now playing in the viral, star-studded Baller League, rubbing shoulders with icons from football and entertainment.
A dream debut under Jurgen Klopp
Daniel Atherton's most memorable moment in a Liverpool shirt came during a pre-season friendly against Tranmere Rovers. With the game winding down and an injury to academy striker Paul Glatzel leaving the bench short, manager Jurgen Klopp turned to the teenage goalkeeper with an unexpected request. "He says, 'can you play?' I said yeah, and I don't know where the confidence came from," Atherton recalls.
Klopp instructed him to get a kit and prepare to come on. Atherton found himself thrown on as an outfield player. "I'm running on smiling, pointing to Divock Origi, instructing players saying, 'you go there, it's me and Div up front'," he said, reflecting on the surreal experience. He believes he played well in his brief cameo, a story that remains a cherished anomaly in his career.
Training with idols and 'mad' sessions
Atherton's journey with Liverpool began even earlier, when he started training with the first team as a 15-year-old academy goalkeeper. The step-up was daunting. "I had a stinker for the first few, so I didn't go back for a couple," he admits. He was starstruck by the presence of heroes like Steven Gerrard, Roberto Firmino, and Jordan Henderson.
He has a particularly vivid memory of Henderson's ruthlessness in a small-sided game. "He must've scored nine. He chipped me on the line, megged me, gone round me," Atherton said. He also recalled James Milner making him stay out after saving his penalty, only to then score ten in a row. Despite the hazing, senior professionals like Simon Mignolet took time to mentor him, offering crucial advice on positioning and decision-making.
A new stage in the Baller League
After leaving Liverpool in 2020 and playing part-time for clubs like Warrington Town and FC United of Manchester, Atherton has found a new platform. He is now a participant in the Baller League, a high-profile indoor six-a-side competition broadcast on Sky Sports.
The league features a mix of ex-professionals, social media stars, and skilled players, managed by legends like John Terry, Ian Wright, and Alan Shearer. The environment is consistently surreal for Atherton. He described watching an England match while sitting with internet personality Angry Ginge, the Sidemen, Daniel Sturridge, and Niko Omilana, only for Idris Elba to pop his head in and say hello.
He emphasises the high quality of the football, noting it's far from a casual kickabout. "We played Wembley Rangers in the first week, Ian Wright and Alan Shearer have got them as a flat-back four in a six-a-side game," he explained, highlighting the tactical thinking involved.
A pathway back to professional football
For Atherton, currently with FC United of Manchester, the Baller League offers more than just fun; it provides exposure. He notes that six or seven players from the league's first season secured moves into the Football League. "I want to be full-time again and get to the Football League," Atherton stated, seeing the league as a potential avenue for scouts to notice him.
He believes the unique platform can open doors that traditional non-league football might not. "Someone could be sat down one night with their kids, maybe a scout, and they see little bits... it's that exposure," he said. Atherton's journey from the Liverpool academy to the bright lights of the Baller League is a testament to football's unpredictable and ever-evolving landscape.
