Trent Kone-Doherty closing on Liverpool transfer after opening talks with new club
Liverpool starlet Trent Kone-Doherty could soon leave to join Norwegian club Molde despite being offered a new contract by the Anfield giants.
Liverpool academy insider Lewis Bower took to X on Thursday to reveal that Kone-Doherty has been offered a new deal at Liverpool, but could snub their advances in search of regular first-team football.
The 19-year-old is on the radar of Eliteserien side Molde, and is believed to be close to leaving Merseyside as things stand.
He made his competitive senior debut for the Reds against Plymouth Argyle last January, and has since made one more first-team appearance under Arne Slot.
Kone-Doherty plays primarily on the left wing, which is where Rio Ngumoha has stepped up ahead of him to become a regular in Slot’s side this season, so he may feel he needs to leave Liverpool to take that leap into first-team football.
Trent Kone-Doherty’s career so far as Molde move beckons
The Derry-born talent joined Derry City’s youth set-up at the age of 13, and quickly rose through the ranks to train with the first team squad and be involved in pre-season friendlies.
He was named on the bench for a senior league game against St Patrick’s Athletic at 15-years-old, and went on trial with Celtic before joining Liverpool in 2022.
Kone-Doherty scored regularly for their Under-18 side and was subsequently handed his first professional contract by the Reds in October 2023.
His senior debut last year was marred by a shock 1-0 defeat to Championship strugglers Plymouth, and while he was a regular in Slot’s squad throughout pre-season, he has not been handed regular first-team chances as yet.
Kone-Doherty could now move to Molde ahead of the start of the 2026 Eliteserien campaign in March, as they aim to improve on a 10th-placed finish last term.
Mateus Mane chase could play a part in Kone-Doherty leaving Liverpool
Ngumoha has burst onto the scene ahead of Kone-Doherty this season at just 17-years-old, with the Ireland youth international’s chances to be involved likely now going to his wing rival.
Slot has been hesitant to put too much pressure on Ngumoha, but he is viewed as the future of Liverpool, with one goal from 15 appearances so far this season.
Not only that, but the Reds’ well-documented interest in Wolves starlet Mane could well be in the back of Kone-Doherty’s mind.
Mane has been a standout in the final third for Wolves over the last few months, with two goals and one assist in 19 games.
Kone-Doherty would slip even further down the pecking order if he was to join in the summer, hence why he is now looking likely to depart.