Liam Walsh (footballer)

Liam Walsh (born 15 September 1997) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL Championship club Swansea City. He started his career at Everton and has also spent time on loan at Yeovil Town, for whom he made his Football League debut, and at Birmingham City and Coventry City.

Liam Walsh
Personal information
Full name Liam Walsh[1]
Date of birth (1997-09-15) 15 September 1997
Place of birth Huyton, England
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Swansea City
Number 28
Youth career
2003–2015 Everton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2018 Everton 0 (0)
2016 → Yeovil Town (loan) 15 (1)
2017–2018 → Birmingham City (loan) 3 (0)
2018–2021 Bristol City 18 (0)
2019–2020 → Coventry City (loan) 26 (3)
2021– Swansea City 14 (0)
2022 → Hull City (loan) 3 (0)
International career
2012 England U16 1 (0)
2014–2015 England U18 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:42, 21 October 2023 (UTC)

Career

Everton

Born in Huyton, England, Walsh started his career at Everton when he joined them at five years old.[3] In July 2014, Walsh signed a scholarships with the academy.[4] Eight months later, he signed his first professional contract with the club.[5] Walsh progressed through Everton's academy, regularly appearing for the Under-18 and Under-23 sides.[3]

On 1 August 2015, Walsh appeared in the first team for the first time as an unused substitute, in a 2–0 loss against Leeds United.[6] In November 2015, he scored a memorable goal from the halfway line during an Under-18 game against Derby.[7] As a result, he was awarded the club's Goal of the Month for November.[8]

After his loan spell at Yeovil Town ended, Walsh continued to feature for the Under-23 sides in the 2016–17 season.[3] He started the season well when he set up two goals as captain, in a 2–0 win over Bolton Wanderers in the Group Stage of EFL Trophy.[9] He shortly signed a contract extension with the club, keeping him until 2019.[10] Walsh then became a regular in the midfield position for the Under-23 sides, under David Unsworth's side.[11] His number of outstanding performance resulted in him being named Premier League 2 Player of the Month in February 2017.[12] After helping the side win the Premier League 2 title at the end of the season, Walsh was shortlisted for the league's Player of the Year award.[13] Walsh was also called up to the England squad for the U20 World Cup in South Korea but suffered an injury towards the end of the 2016/17 season which meant he was unable to participate.

Loan spells

On 6 January 2016, Walsh joined Football League Two side Yeovil Town on a one-month loan,[14] and made his debut four days later in the FA Cup third round against Carlisle United.[15] He then set up a goal for Jack Compton, who later scored a hat–trick, in a 3–2 win over AFC Wimbledon on 30 January 2016, followed up by scoring his first goal for the club, in a 1–1 draw against Luton Town.[16] The initial loan was extended on two occasions,[17] before extending it until the end of the season.[18] Despite missing out on two occasions, due to illness and suspension,[19] Walsh finished the 2016–17 season, making 17 appearances in all competitions.[20] After his loan spell at Yeovil Town came to an end, Walsh reflected his time there, stating he "became a man."[21]

Walsh signed for Championship club Birmingham City on 31 August 2017, on loan until 3 January 2018.[22] He was one of six debutants in the starting eleven for Birmingham's next fixture, away to Norwich City; he played 57 minutes and was yellow-carded in the first half as his team lost 1–0.[23][24] He appeared twice more under Harry Redknapp's management, but not at all under successor Steve Cotterill, and returned to train with his parent club in mid-November, although the loan remained in force until its official expiry date.[25]

Bristol City

On 5 January 2018, Walsh signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Championship club Bristol City, joining for an undisclosed fee.[26] Upon joining the club, Manager Lee Johnson said about Walsh: "I think Liam gives us something slightly different to what we have already and adds to the qualities we already have in midfield. He loves getting on the ball and is a very good passer with both his left and right foot. He's a brilliant player, who can come in and compete immediately. Hopefully he can improve and he improves us."[27] Walsh, himself, felt leaving Everton for Bristol City was a right time for him to leave.[28]

Walsh made his Bristol City debut, coming on as a second–half substitute in the 72nd minutes, in a 2–1 loss against Manchester City in the Semi-final first leg of the EFL Cup.[29] On 13 January 2018, he made his league debut for the club, where he started and played 69 minutes before being substituted, in a 1–0 loss against Norwich City.[30] However, Walsh spent the rest of the season being featured in and out of the first team.[31] At the end of the 2017–18 season, he went on to make eight appearances for the side in all competitions.

He scored his first goal for City in an EFL Cup tie against Queens Park Rangers on 13 August 2019.[32]

On 2 September 2019, Walsh signed for League One side Coventry City on loan until the end of the season.[33] His performances for Coventry during the 2019–20 season, led to Walsh being named in the League One PFA Team of the Year.[34]

On 14 May 2021, Walsh was released by Bristol City following the expiration of his contract.[35]

Swansea City

On 8 July 2021, Walsh joined Swansea City on a free transfer, signing a three-year deal with the club.[36][37]

Hull City (loan)

On 31 January 2022, Walsh joined Hull City on loan until the end of the 2021–22 season.[38] He made his debut on 8 February 2022, in the away match against Derby County.[39]

International career

Walsh is eligible to play for England and Italy.[3]

After representing England U16 side in 2012, Walsh was called up by England U18 for the first time on 16 September 2014.[40] He made his England U18 debut on 24 September 2014, where he started the whole game, in a 2–0 loss against Italy U18.[41] Walsh went on to make appearance for England U18 side.

Career statistics
As of match played 19 April 2023.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Everton 2015–16[20] Premier League 00—00—00
2016–17[42] Premier League 000000—00
2017–18[43] Premier League 0000—0000
Total 0000000000
Everton U23 2016–17[42] ———2[lower-alpha 1]020
Yeovil Town (loan) 2015–16[20] League Two 151200000171
Birmingham City (loan) 2017–18[43] Championship 30———30
Bristol City 2017–18[43] Championship 60—20—80
2018–19[44] Championship 900010—100
2019–20[45] Championship 000011—11
2020–21[46] Championship 300000—30
Total 1800041—221
Coventry City (loan) 2019–20[45] League One 26371—1[lower-alpha 1]0344
Swansea City 2021–22[47] Championship 501010—70
2022–23[48] Championship 700000—70
Total 1201010—140
Hull City (loan) 2021–22[47] Championship 30———30
Career total 7741015130956
  1. Appearances in EFL Trophy

Personal life

Walsh attended Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School in West Derby and Wade Deacon High School in Widnes.[49] Apart from his father, Walsh's family are Everton supporters.[49]

Honours

Individual

References
  1. "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Bristol City" (PDF). English Football League. p. 9. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  2. "FootballSquads – Yeovil Town – 2015/16". FootballSquads. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  3. "Liam Walsh". Everton F.C. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  4. "15 Become Scholars". Everton F.C. 28 June 2014. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  5. "Walsh Signs Professional Contract". Everton F.C. 2 March 2015. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  6. "Leeds United 2–0 Everton full-time report: Youthful Blues slip to friendly defeat". Liverpool Echo. 1 August 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
    "Martinez Goes With Youth". Everton F.C. 1 August 2015. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  7. O'Keeffe, Greg (3 November 2015). "Watch Everton starlet score from the half-way line to send Toffees top of the table". Mirror Online. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  8. "Walsh Wins Goal Of The Month". Everton F.C. 10 November 2015. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  9. "Bolton 0–2 Everton U23s full-time report: Little Boys Blue off to flying start in Checkatrade Trophy". Liverpool Echo. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  10. "Walsh Signs New Contract". Everton F.C. 9 September 2016. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  11. "Everton youngster Liam Walsh eyes first-team breakthrough after signing new deal". Liverpool Echo. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
    "Why Liam Walsh may struggle to break into the Everton side despite being tipped for the top". Somerset Live. 5 September 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  12. "Walsh wins PL2 Player of the Month". Premier League Official Website. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  13. "Everton crowned Premier League 2 champions". Liverpool Echo. 24 April 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
    "Everton midfielder Liam Walsh nominated for U23s award – but where are other Blues stars?". Liverpool Echo. 20 May 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  14. "Everton: Liam Walsh agrees Yeovil Town loan spell". BBC Sport. 6 January 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  15. "Carlisle United 2–2 Yeovil Town". BBC Sport. 10 January 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  16. "AFC Wimbledon 2–3 Yeovil Town". BBC Sport. 30 January 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
    "Luton Town 1 – 1 Yeovil Town". BBC Sport. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  17. "Ledson And Walsh Extend Loans". Everton F.C. 8 February 2016. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
    "Ledson And Walsh Extend Loans". Everton F.C. 5 March 2016. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  18. "Loan Update". Everton F.C. 14 April 2016. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  19. "PREVIEW: YEOVIL TOWN V ACCRINGTON STANLEY". Yeovil Town F.C. 29 February 2016. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
    "Cambridge United 3 – 0 Yeovil Town". BBC Sport. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
    "PREVIEW: YEOVIL TOWN V CARLISLE UNITED". Yeovil Town F.C. 24 March 2016. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  20. "Games played by Liam Walsh in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  21. "Next Generation: Who's Next?". Everton F.C. 29 May 2016. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  22. "Birmingham City: Jota, Maxime Colin and Jason Lowe join Championship club". BBC Sport. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  23. "Norwich City 1–0 Birmingham City". BBC Sport. 9 September 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  24. Dick, Brian (9 September 2017). "Birmingham City player ratings: How we rated the new look Blues against Norwich City". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  25. "Liam Walsh back at Everton after Birmingham loan spell". Sky Sports. 12 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  26. "City swoop for Everton's Walsh". Bristol City F.C. 5 January 2018. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  27. "Who is Liam Walsh: Lowdown on Bristol City's new signing from Everton". Bristol Post. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  28. "WELLRED MEETS: LIAM WALSH". Bristol City F.C. 26 January 2018. Archived from the original on 11 August 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  29. "Manchester City 2 – 1 Bristol City". BBC Sport. 9 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  30. "Bristol City 0 – 1 Norwich City". BBC Sport. 13 January 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  31. "Will Lois Diony, Ryan Kent, Cauley Woodrow or Liam Walsh play again this season?". Bristol Post. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  32. "QPR 3–3 Bristol City". BBC Sport. BBC. 13 August 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  33. "Liam Walsh: Coventry City sign Bristol City midfielder on loan". BBC Sport. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  34. "PFA Player of the Year: Kevin de Bruyne and Beth England named 2020 winners". BBC Sport. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  35. "Bristol City announce retained list". Bristol City F.C. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  36. "SWANSEA CITY COMPLETE LIAM WALSH SIGNING". www.swanseacity.com. 8 July 2021.
  37. "Liam Walsh: Swansea City sign ex-Bristol City midfielder on free transfer". BBC Sport. 8 July 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  38. "Walsh arrives on loan". Hull City A.F.C. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  39. "Derby County 3–1 Hull City". BBC Sport. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  40. "THREE NEW FACES CALLED UP FOR ENGLAND U18S TRIP TO ITALY". The FA Website. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  41. "YOUNG LIONS DOWNED BY QUICK-FIRE AZZURRINI DOUBLE". The FA Website. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  42. "Games played by Liam Walsh in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  43. "Games played by Liam Walsh in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  44. "Games played by Liam Walsh in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  45. "Games played by Liam Walsh in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  46. "Games played by Liam Walsh in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  47. "Games played by Liam Walsh in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  48. "Games played by Liam Walsh in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  49. Kirkbride, Phil (3 December 2016). "Everton youngster Liam Walsh on why shots from halfway won't impress Koeman". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  50. "Jordan Henderson among five Liverpool players in PFA team of the year". Yahoo! Sport. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
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