Harvey Antonio Blair (born 14 September 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL Championship club Portsmouth.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Harvey Antonio Blair[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 14 September 2003[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 | 2 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:00, 31 August 2024 (UTC) | |||
Early life
editBlair was born in Huddersfield, England.[2] He is of Jamaican descent.[4]
Club career
editLiverpool
editBlair 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
editOn 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
editBlair 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
editHis 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
edit- As of matches played 31 August 2024
| 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 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
References
edit- ^ "2023/24 Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Harvey Blair". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ "Harvey Blair". fbref. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Preston North End vs Liverpool LIVE!". Sky Sports. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ Mir, Amir (28 October 2021). "'That doesn't help': Klopp makes Harvey Blair admission after Liverpool debut last night". HITC. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ Durkan, Joanna. "Liverpool youngster dealt cruel injury blow days after training with first team". This is Anfield. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
- ^ "Blair Joins The Blues". Portsmouth F.C. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Middlesbrough 2–2 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. 24 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ Pinnock, Hannah (27 October 2021). "Harvey Blair is the Liverpool Academy starlet tipped for big things". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ @EnglishAbroad1 (12 February 2024). "Marley Blair has joined AB Argir" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 April 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Harvey Blair | Football Stats | Liverpool | Age 18 | Soccer Base". SoccerBase. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Harvey Blair in 2024/2025". SoccerBase. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
External links
edit- Profile at the Portsmouth F.C. website
- Harvey Blair at Premier League
- Harvey Blair – UEFA competition record (archive)
