Sheyi Ojo: Ice-Cold Instinct and Inconsistency

Loan. After loan. After loan. The career of Sheyi Ojo, once Liverpool’s next great hope, has somewhat stagnated since his initial breakthrough.

Finally, after spells in France, Scotland and England, it seems that Ojo has found his home in South Wales.

The MK Dons academy graduate, who developed at the same time as Tottenham’s Dele Alli, has spent five years on the fringes and loan spells have only discouraged Jurgen Klopp to include Ojo as a rotational option.

You’d have thought with Ojo’s adeptness on both sides, and his ability to play as a ten, that he’d be valuable to Liverpool as a squad. His form and consistency during these spells haven’t showcased Ojo in his best light.

It’s arguable that his best spell during his career actually came at the Reds, during the 2015/16 season as he was used in the Premier League, with Kopites’ focus magnified on the Europa League.

He scored his only Liverpool goal during this season too, a wonderful curler against Exeter City in the FA Cup.

It wasn’t until I reported on Cardiff City vs Middlesbrough yesterday, that I remembered and realised the excitement about Ojo as a Liverpool fan. His pace, dribbling ability and ice-cold instinct. He still has it in abundance.

The way he interchanged between Middlesbrough’s right wing-back and right-sided centre-back (Marcus Tavernier and Anfernee Dijksteel) to cut inside and find space for his teammates – it was truly excellent.

But what should we expect? This is a player who’s played at this level and above for a long time. He’s featured in spells for Wolves, Wigan, and Fulham at this level. As the inconsistencies still emerge.

“We could see the talent and skill in there but being honest, under Kenny Jackett, he wasn’t utilised properly – and after Michal Zyro was brought in he never really featured”.

-Wolves fan Otto Mendelsson

He’s still shown signs though, which is why Ligue 1 side Reims took a punt on him as well as Steven Gerrard’s Rangers last season.

He will have known Ojo well during his development as a player and as a manager of the Liverpool U-18’s, despite the then 20 year-old featuring for Fulham that season.

“The last sort of 18 months, two years, I’ve kind of not really had that consistent opportunity of football.

“When I heard Rangers were involved, I spoke to my representation, the gaffer Steven Gerrard and I spoke to Liverpool as well.

“I think all the parties just believe that this was the right destination for my career this season.” 

– Ojo on joining Rangers in 2019.

He made his Gers debut in a Europa League qualifier against Gibraltarian side St Joseph’s, and made a goal scoring start. Despite this, he would remain inconsistent throughout the campaign. He scored five goals all season.

So after falling short of expectations in Scotland, this summer gave Ojo another crack at the Championship – this time with playoff semi-finalists and my new local team, Cardiff City.

And with interests both in a reporting perspective and a Liverpool fan perspective, I was buzzing when Ojo moved. That feeling was duplicated, if not enhanced, by Harry Wilson also moving to South Wales on loan.

He’s bagged two now in Cardiff Blue, with the aforementioned second coming yesterday against Warnock’s Boro. Despite a dodgy start at the CCS, he’s already winning over the Bluebirds faithful.

“I think he’s already made a huge improvement, considering the expectation was low from a lot of fans that he wouldn’t excel for us.

“He’s already made an impact with his goals and movement off the ball in recent games. If he can continue putting in performances to his recent standards then I’m sure he will become a key part of the squad for the rest of the season.”

— Alex Wallace, Cardiff City fan

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