Why Liverpool allowed talented youngster Trent Kone-Doherty to depart

The winger has joined Molde in a permanent deal. Kone-Doherty was well regarded in Liverpool's youth ranks, and has played a prominent role for the Under-21s this season

Trent Kone-Doherty, who has left Liverpool to join Molde of Norway(Image: Annabel Lee-Ellis/Getty Images)

There was a sense of inevitable disappointment in Liverpool youth circles when the news of Trent Kone-Doherty’s exit broke on Friday.

The winger could have left the Reds in January and has attracted widespread interest in recent months. That a departure last month could not be secured ultimately worked in Molde’s favor.

The Norwegian transfer window is currently open ahead of the new season, and Molde’s ability to complete permanent deals at present sets it apart. Kone-Doherty had few other options. Major League Soccer clubs can complete transfers for another month, but there’s no guarantee a deal could be arranged - and staying in Europe offers a move much closer to home than across the Atlantic.

A €750,000 ($886K/£657K) transfer appears to suit all parties on this occasion. Kone-Doherty, the Derry native who has dreams of forcing his way into the Republic of Ireland international set-up, is keen to play regular first-team games now.

He has made just two appearances for the Reds, and with fellow teenage stars Rio Ngumoha and Josh Abe above Kone-Doherty in the pecking order, this outcome has felt inevitable for months.

With no first-team path visible and his Liverpool contract expiring at the end of the season, securing a deal now is in the club’s best interests, and with a buyback clause inserted into the deal and a sell-on fee of any future transfer, the Reds could reap the rewards of his move in years to come.

Trent Kone-Doherty has missed just two Under-21 games all season

There is a sense of disappointment, though, that such a talented youngster is walking away for a relatively modest fee.

That Kone-Doherty was among five Under-21 players to be called up by Arne Slot for the Carabao Cup game against Crystal Palace in October speaks to how highly regarded he is at Liverpool.

The 19-year-old has starred in the Uefa Youth League this term, starting all seven games and scoring three goals. His league stats have been lacking, but with the uncertainty that has hung over him, perhaps that is no great surprise.

Kone-Doherty has estbalished himself as an important player for the Ireland's Under-21s

At international level, Kone-Doherty has represented Ireland at various age groups and is now well established at Under-21 level. His long-term aspirations are to earn a spot in the senior ranks, and with a possible World Cup spot on the horizon, the move to Molde gives him an outside chance of inclusion in Heimir Hallgrimsson’s squad.

His defection to Norway comes in the week when Bodo-Glimt demonstrated the league’s standing is on the rise, as it dumped Inter Milan out of the Champions League.

In doing so, it became the first Norwegian side to progress to the last-16 of the competition and it has enjoyed notable scalps against Manchester City and Atletico Madrid this term.

The national side is also enjoying a resurgence, inspired by Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard and Oscar Bobb, with Norway winning every game en route to World Cup qualification this summer, its first appearance in 28 years.

Therefore, Kone-Doherty’s Scandinavia switch might just be perfectly timed. He will certainly hope the transfer provides him with the chance to regularly showcase his talents and for his fledgling career to take off.