Harvey Blair

Harvey Blair
Personal information
Full name Harvey Antonio Blair[1]
Date of birth (2003-09-14) 14 September 2003 (age 21)[2]
Place of birth Huddersfield, England
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[3]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Portsmouth
Number 29
Youth career
2015–2021 Liverpool
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2024 Liverpool 0 (0)
2024– Portsmouth 8 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:59 30 November 2024 (UTC)

Harvey Antonio Blair (born 14 September 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL Championship club Portsmouth.

Early life

Blair was born in Huddersfield, England.[2] He is of Jamaican descent.[4]

Club career

Liverpool

Blair was originally part of Manchester United's youth setup, but later joined Liverpool as an U12 player.[2] He signed his first professional contract in October 2020.[2] He was later promoted to the Under-18 squad for the 2020–21 season.[5] His first year was greatly impacted by injury as he made just four appearances and scored two goals.[5] In the 2021–22 season, he has made five league appearances and scored one goal for the academy side, impressing enough to be promoted to the senior team.[5]

Blair made his professional debut in an EFL Cup game against Preston North End on 27 October 2021. He was brought off after 55 minutes.[6] Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp said about Blair's performance: "The game for Harvey in the first half was really not easy and in the second half as well. We didn't really involve him in the game. That doesn't help."[7]

Blair trained with the Liverpool first team in the 2023 pre-season, but sustained a meniscus tear in the first week.[8]

Portsmouth

On 23 August 2024, Blair signed for Championship club Portsmouth on an initial three-year deal for an undisclosed fee,[9] believed to be initially in the region of £300,000 with the potential to rise to £600,000 should the add-ons be met.[10] He made his debut one day later, coming on as a 53rd-minute substitute in a 2–2 draw away at Middlesbrough.[11]

Style of play

Blair has been described as a 'tricky winger' who is 'blessed with good pace, size and ball control'.

He's traditionally played as a left winger under under-18s manager Bridge-Wilkinson, but can also operate as a striker and a little bit deeper in a no.10 role.[12]

Personal life

His older brother, Marley, was also in the Liverpool academy before being released by the club.[5] He currently plays for Faroese side Argja Bóltfelag.[13]

Career statistics

As of matches played 30 November 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Liverpool 2021–22[14] Premier League 0 0 0 0 1 0 — 1 0
Total 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Portsmouth 2024-25[15] Championship 8 0 0 0 0 0 — 8 0
Total 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
Career total 8 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 9 0

References

  1. ^ "2023/24 Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "Harvey Blair". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Harvey Blair". fbref. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  4. ^ "National team kit release suggests Liverpool youngster could be about to get a call-up, he's flying right now". Rousing The Kop. 7 February 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "Harvey Blair: The Huddersfield-born Liverpool youngster tipped for big things as he makes professional debut in Carabao Cup tie against Preston North End". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  6. ^ "Preston North End vs Liverpool LIVE!". Sky Sports. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  7. ^ Mir, Amir (28 October 2021). "'That doesn't help': Klopp makes Harvey Blair admission after Liverpool debut last night". HITC. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  8. ^ Durkan, Joanna. "Liverpool youngster dealt cruel injury blow days after training with first team". This is Anfield. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Blair Joins The Blues". Portsmouth F.C. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  10. ^ McMahon, Mark (23 August 2024). "Portsmouth seal '£300,000' deal for Liverpool forward which could eventually rise to £600,000". The News. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Middlesbrough 2–2 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. 24 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  12. ^ Pinnock, Hannah (27 October 2021). "Harvey Blair is the Liverpool Academy starlet tipped for big things". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  13. ^ @EnglishAbroad1 (12 February 2024). "Marley Blair has joined AB Argir" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 April 2024 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ "Harvey Blair | Football Stats | Liverpool | Age 18 | Soccer Base". SoccerBase. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  15. ^ "Games played by Harvey Blair in 2024/2025". SoccerBase. Retrieved 24 August 2024.