Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has opened up about his experiences during his time at Anfield, revealing he often felt like a "scapegoat." Despite this, he has fond memories of his time at Aston Villa, where he felt more valued.
When Warnock was 10 years old, he joined Liverpool and advanced through the ranks. After suffering significant injuries, including a broken leg, he finally made his first-team debut in 2004 under Rafael Benitez. The same year he won the UEFA Super Cup, he missed the memorable Champions League victory over AC Milan.
Reflecting on his career, Warnock noted that his academy background at Liverpool often left him at a disadvantage compared to players who had been signed from other clubs. He stated, "Whereas, as much as I enjoyed my time at Liverpool, I always felt like I was treated as an academy graduate and treated as someone who you can almost scapegoat and leave out at times."
According to a recent interview with World Football Index, he found a greater sense of belonging during his stints at Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa. After spending time on loan at Bradford and Coventry City, where he made a significant impact, Warnock returned to Liverpool and eventually secured a move to Blackburn, which marked a turning point in his career. He expressed gratitude to Benitez for giving him his opportunity, noting, "It was a completely fresh start for me."
Warnock's transfer to Aston Villa in 2009 was pivotal for his confidence. He praised the quality of players around him, including Richard Dunne, Ashley Young, and Stewart Downing. He stated, "Villa is a massive club steeped in history, so it was an honour to play for them. I loved my time at Villa even if it didn't come as easy as I'd have liked it to because there were some tough times as well."
Villa was a place where he felt appreciated and part of a team, contrasting his experiences at other clubs.