Adam Phillips, the Barnsley midfielder who spent eight years in Liverpool's academy, is preparing to face his boyhood club in the FA Cup third round on Monday night. The 27-year-old, who never made a first-team appearance for the Reds, described the occasion as a 'very special moment'.
Phillips, who left Liverpool in 2017, has never played at Anfield in front of a full crowd. 'Just walking out at the start of the game, listening to 'You'll Never Walk Alone' – it'll be iconic,' he told The Mirror. 'It'll be a bit of a pinch-myself moment.'
The Garstang-born midfielder has secured 25 to 30 tickets for family and friends. 'Everyone wanted to be there,' he added. 'Hopefully it's a great atmosphere – one I can't wait for.'
Barnsley, 17th in League One, face a Liverpool side fourth in the Premier League. Despite the 57-place gap, Phillips believes an upset is possible. 'We're confident we can go there and put a performance on,' he said. 'We're not just going to go there and expect to get beat.'
The Tykes previously beat Liverpool 2-1 in the FA Cup fourth round in 2008, a result Phillips hopes to emulate. 'It gives you that hope and belief that there's something there,' he noted. Barnsley are without a win in four matches but sit just two points above the relegation zone.
