Ojo had a difficult journey which saw him briefly break through in Jurgen Klopp's team then play for nine different clubs. Encounter.
His rapid rise at Liverpool
“One of the strangest periods of my life”
It's obviously not every day that a club pays €2.3 million for a 14-year-old kid. But the Reds gave priority to Chelsea, United, City, Arsenal, Ajax, Barça, Real or even Juve and Inter to secure the services of Ojo in 2011. To the greatest happiness of the modest club of MK Dons, from which Dele Alli also came. “Maybe this amount put a little pressure on methe winger admits to us. But I always put some on myself.”
A Gunners fan from the start, Ojo played with the Reds U18s at the age of 15. At the time, he did not escape the watchful eye of John Aldridge, legend of the Mersey club, who gave him “tunes by John Barnes”. Comparisons with Raheem Sterling or Jordon Ibe do not take long to be whispered in the Anfield stands either. “Everyone takes their own path and has their own style. My plan was always to get into the first team from a very young age. I always believed I would succeed. When I signed for Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers was the manager before Klopp came.”
The German offers him his first opportunities in the first team. After loans at Wigan and Wolverhampton, he made his debut with Liverpool, in the FA Cup, against Exeter. For its premiere, it offers assistance to its “big brother” Daniel Sturridge. On the return, he scored his one and only goal with the Reds, becoming the club's youngest scorer in the FA Cup at the time, at 18 years 7 months and 1 day (meanwhile, Kaide Gordon broke his record) . In front of the Kop, no less. “The feeling was fantastic. But at the moment, you don't think about it. It was a strange time in my life: it was everything I dreamed of but I didn't realize it. Looking back, it was a great moment.”
His relationship with Jurgen Klopp
”What makes it special? Its intensity”
During the first winter transfer window that Klopp saw at the Reds, the coach made the decision to recall Ojo from his loan at Wolves. “He told me that I had all the qualities to reach the highest level and that he wanted to work with me. I played a few matches with the reserves to get into rhythm.”
Before Klopp made him the first teenager he threw into the deep end that is the Premier League, during a match against Southampton. Just when he finally seems to be launched, an injury thwarts his plans. “She stopped me in my tracks. Then, it was always difficult to find a place in the attacking trio. There was Sadio (Mané) and Bobby Firmino. Mo Salah arrived a year later…”
So many reasons why he never managed to rejoin Klopp's eleven afterwards. “In Liverpool, he's the 'King' – or whatever word you want to use. His departure in June is synonymous with a big loss. But Liverpool was a great club before he arrived and will remain so after. What makes it so special? I would say the intensity. In training, given the standards in place, you evolve naturally. If you add his energy, his intensity, his speeches… The environment completely changed when he arrived. Everyone, whether players or management, has improved individually.”
His teammates at the Reds
”Still in contact with Sturridge, Gomez, Trent…”
During his time on the banks of the Mersey, Ojo also met some extraordinary players. “When you play with top players, you learn a lot. They all welcomed me. I could express myself freely. I keep in touch with Sturridge and younger guys like Joe Gomez. He started to break through at the same time as me. Trent came a year later. We stay in touch and keep tabs on each other's careers. My whole life has revolved around Liverpool. My family moved there when I signed there. I still have a house there. It will always be a big part of my life.”
The RWDM suffers, resists and blows in Kortrijk
Although he did not play a match with him, Ojo still trained with Steven Gerrard. But who was the most impressive? “Coutinho? It's hard to say. But just before he left for Barça, he was on fire and shouldering all the responsibilities. Even in training, the things he did…”
And then, at Anfield, he obviously shared the pitch with Simon Mignolet, Christian Benteke and Divock Origi. “When we played against Bruges, here in Kortrijk, I spoke with Simon again. It was cool to make up for lost time. They were all very nice guys and continue to be interested in my career.”
His countless stays on loan
”Super excited to work with Gerrard”
Ultimately, Ojo had to lift the sails to find regular playing time. “I had a discussion with Klopp. I really wanted to get minutes. I went to Rangers, coached by Gerrard. He presented me with his plan for the season. I was super excited. I had my first European experiences there and played around thirty matches before Covid interrupted the season. The fans there are incredible.”
Especially on the eve of an Old Firm. Ojo and the incomparable Scott Brown launched the derby hostilities in August 2019 remotely in the press. “The atmosphere is incredible. Unfortunately, we didn't have the best ratio against Celtic. Ibrox or Anfield? It's different. Playing at Anfield in the Premier League is very special. Ibrox, during European evenings, too.”
After this experience in Scotland, the winner of the U20 World Cup in 2017 traveled again to Fulham, Reims, Milwall and then Cardiff where he even ended up packing his bags permanently in 2022. “I spoke with the leaders of Liverpool. At that time, separating was the best solution for everyone.”
His first experience in Belgium
“I could have signed for Bruges, Genk or Ghent in the past”
Problem: when Ojo decides to sign his contract, the Welsh club enters a transition period. “I need a structure with a coach who trusts me. Last season, I had four different coaches. The scenario was obviously not ideal.”
Like what he is experiencing in Kortrijk, where he landed on loan this summer after a dispute with Erol Bulut, the Cardiff coach (the two clubs are part of the galaxy of Malaysian Vincent Tan). “Over the last two years, I have known seven or eight coaches in total. But I learn from all these challenges. It's true that I have had contact with Club Brugge, La Gantoise, Genk and another Belgian club in the past. But I don’t remember the details.”
If I think I can still reach the Premier League one day? Yes, 100%.
His contract in Wales and his loan at Kortrijk end this summer. “Cardiff have an option. I'm not sure yet. In any case, it’s an important crossroads in my career. This season has been difficult. I always tried to adapt to the conditions. I have progressed to almost all positions. Whether winger, full-back, or even defender. If I think I can still reach the Premier League one day? Yes, 100%. I wouldn't have come here otherwise. Not everything went as planned, but I learned a lot. My goal remains to play as high as possible. Whether it’s in the Premier League or somewhere else.”
His alleged career as a rapper
”No, I’m not DIDE”
The question fascinates England and begins to bore him: who is DIDE? Like Eddie Nketiah, Wilfried Zaha or Alex Iwobi, Ojo is one of the “suspects”. The masked rapper is all the rage on the other side of the Channel and is, according to his own words, a (former) Premier League player. His titles Thrill Or Derby Day are, in addition, full of references to football.
Which suggests that Ojo is indeed the anonymous artist? A tattoo on his wrist and his haircut. “This story is crazy. Even supporters here ask me if it's me. My entire career has been centered around football. Anything more would just be a distraction. I am in Kortrijk to progress. When people ask me, it's a bit annoying yes. But I understand the curiosity (smile). But it's not me, no. My whole life is dedicated to football. If people knew how I worked behind the scenes, they would quickly understand that I don’t have time for that.”
