Trent Kone-Doherty is taking an exciting new step in his football career after swapping Liverpool for Norway, with the young forward making an immediate impression at Molde with 10 goals and three assists in just 23 outings.

Having come through the ranks at the AXA Training Centre, making 103 competitive appearances, Kone-Doherty experienced life around Liverpool’s first team, made his senior debut against Plymouth Argyle and played at Anfield against Crystal Palace before deciding to take on a new challenge in January.

Dan caught up with the 20-year-old to reflect on his journey from Liverpool’s academy to senior football in Norway, the coaches who helped shape his development, and the influence of training alongside some of the world’s best players.

He also discusses adapting to life in a new country, his impressive goalscoring form, ambitions of representing the Republic of Ireland at senior level and the lasting friendships he has maintained with his former teammates.

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On the move to Liverpool: “I think I was playing for Ireland, maybe under-16 at the time. There were rumours of a few clubs looking at me. Liverpool, I was a difficult club to get into.

“I wouldn’t say it was a difficult decision. It was more of a sacrifice, but it was also something I wanted to do. I wouldn’t call it a difficult decision because it was something I was excited about. I wanted to go, learn and try to make it there. It was just exciting.”

On coaches who helped him: “Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, Barry Lewtas and Rob Page. Along with all of them, there was also Jay Spearing, who was an assistant with my Under-18s and then worked with me again with the Under-21s.

“So, probably all of them, to be honest. We put in a lot of hours on the training pitch. I’m thankful for all their help because it’s helped me become a better player.”

On first team hopes: “I was just taking it day by day, to be honest. I always had my eyes set on trying to get involved with the first team.

“I obviously left in January 2025, and I think maybe in the summer of 2024 I was looking at loan moves and things like that. But when January came around, the decision just felt right. It felt right at the time, to be honest. Then Molde came in, and that was the move I decided to take.”

On Liverpool appearances: “Coming on in games like that is an unbelievable experience, especially when you’re in the academy. It’s always nice.

“As you say, training with those players as well. You’re training with some of the best players in the world, so you’re only going to get better and learn. They were all positive experiences, to be honest. I have no bad words to say.”

On getting help from senior players: “To be honest, all the lads were good. I personally liked Luis Díaz in particular, which was the reason I mentioned him, but all the lads were great.

“They would all help you and push you, and that’s what you wanted when you got the chance to go over there. You just wanted to try to do your best, and that’s what happened, really. You were pushed, and you tried to show what you could do as well.”

On the move to Molde: “At the time, I was thinking that maybe something would come up. When Molde came up, my agent and my dad called me and told me there was interest.

“To be honest, it happened quite quickly. A few days later, I was over here. When I saw it, I was excited. It was something that really appealed to me.

“I just wanted to go and test myself, take the opportunity and see what it was like.”

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On settling in Norway: “Of course, I was leaving a lot behind. I also had a host family in Liverpool and all my friends there.

“But I looked at it in the way you described it: as an opportunity. I saw it and was just excited to go and take it. Of course, you have to think about decisions like that, but I was excited, went for it, and I’m happy it went well.

“Obviously, at the start it was all new, but I think I adapted well. It took a little time to get used to everything, but I’m well used to it now.”

On the difference in football: “To be honest, there’s a lot of good football. I don’t know if you’ve seen many of our games, but we play really nice football. It’s nice to watch.

“When you look at some of the other teams in the league, the likes of Bodo/Glimt, who are playing in the Champions League, they also like to play good football. Even when they go away, it’s nice football.

“It’s worked out well. It’s a nice league, and the football is enjoyable. It’s also a really intense and competitive league.”

On Liverpool fans in the squad: “It was more from some of the fans in the stadium. There were Liverpool fans who were excited to see me, but mostly, yeah.

“To be honest, you do sometimes see people wearing Liverpool shirts and things like that. You wouldn’t necessarily expect it, but the fan base is so big.”

On enjoying his football: “100 per cent. I’m just taking it game by game, as I said. I’m trying to do my best, and I’m on the pitch. Hopefully, there’s a senior international call-up in the future.”

On a senior international call-up: “It’s definitely on my mind. It’s something you always look for as a young kid who plays football and comes from a country. You want to make that step.

“But it’s something that will come at the right time. For me, it’s just about taking it game by game. Of course, it’s something every player wants for their country, so hopefully I’ll get that opportunity one day.”

On recent hat-tricks: “I find moments like that in football are how you show yourself. You show that you can do things, create things and make things happen in games.

“You need to do that when you move to a new club. So, of course, there are nice feelings and nice moments when you do things like that. It’s good.”

On staying in touch with LFC teammates: “We all follow each other’s development. We’re all watching each other and wishing each other the best because we have some nice memories together.

“We still keep in contact with some of the boys, and it’s nice to see them doing well too.”

On memories from Liverpool: “I have only good things to say. I really enjoyed my time there and learned a lot.

“As you mentioned, Alex Inglethorpe used to take the time to comment on the individual things we were doing. He likes wingers as well, so that was a bonus for me!

“I learned so much as a player, and when I made the move, I was confident that what I’d learned at Liverpool would help me take the next step and perform in senior football.

“I’m happy that I’ve shown that, and I’m also happy that I had that foundation at Liverpool.”