Jurgen Klopp Bizarrely Played a Goalkeeper Up Front For Liverpool - Where is He Now?

Making your senior debut after coming through the ranks of a club's academy is the stuff of dreams for any aspiring footballer. After all, many talents will depart without getting a chance in the first team.

That thought likely crossed the mind of Shamal George. Having grown up in Liverpool across the River Mersey, he joined the Reds at eight years old after initially being on trial at Tranmere. And after playing for the under-18 and under-21 sides, he was given the opportunity to come on in a pre-season friendly back in July 2016 against Huddersfield Town.

However, as he received instructions from Jurgen Klopp, one of Liverpool's greatest ever managers, George realised that his debut was going to be particularly unusual. A goalkeeper for his entire career, the youngster was told he'd be playing as a forward

That day in Huddersfield, unfortunately for George, was not the start of a new career as a striker, nor was it a sign of things to come at Anfield. Loan spells at Carlisle, Tranmere and Marine FC would follow for the goalkeeper, before he was eventually allowed to leave Liverpool in 2020 for Colchester United.

After winning Player of the Year at the League Two club, he earned himself a move to Scottish Premiership club Livingston. But his second year at the club was mired with personal struggles, as George's mum was diagnosed with breast cancer.

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"I just wasn’t bothered about football at that time," he said. "I didn’t want to play, but my mum insisted I kept playing. My mind was elsewhere most days. She was having chemotherapy and I was stuck four hours away.

Signing for Wycombe Wanderers in August 2024, George then suffered a terrible groin injury during an FA Cup third-round victory against Portsmouth, where his muscle came off the bone. Having made a full recovery, a loan back to Scotland beckoned, with him joining St Mirren on loan for 2025/26.

So far, it's been an excellent season for the 27-year-old. With 21 appearances in all competitions, he played a vital part in the club's 3-1 victory against Celtic in the League Cup final. Having lost his grandfather, Bill, last month, he was overcome with emotion following the final whistle, celebrating the triumph with his mum and family who were in attendance.