Midfielder Scofield Lonmeni has left Liverpool in a surprise transfer before the January window, with the 17-year-old now playing academy football for Reading.Lonmeni joined Liverpool at U14s level and quickly became a reliable figure, stepping up to the U18s squad during the 2023/24 campaign.He was a regular for Simon Wiles’ side in the early weeks of this season, starting once and coming off the bench on six occasions for the U18s as well as twice for the U19s in the UEFA Youth League.But the teenager is now plying his trade at League One side Reading, having made the switch two weeks after his last appearance for Liverpool.Liverpool midfielder Scofield Lonmeni joins ReadingHis move came in early October, with scholars able to change clubs more freely than those tied down to professional contracts, and Lonmeni has already made four appearances for Reading U18s.The latest came in a dramatic 7-6 penalty shootout victory over Middlesbrough in the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday night, having played the full game for Harrison Gilkes’ side.Though a natural midfielder, Lonmeni became something of a utility player for his academy coaches at Liverpool, playing in a variety of other roles including as a right-back, left winger and even as a striker.It is a quality that Reading have embraced, with the youngster credited with appearances as a right-back, right winger and defensive midfielder already.Liverpool’s competitive U18s – and a focus on youthAt Liverpool, midfielders Alvin Ayman and Ollie O’Connor have been utilised in the full-back roles this season, while the likes of Joe Upton, Haydn Murray-Holme and AJ Yeguo are regulars in midfield.While results have been inconsistent Wiles’ U18s squad is a competitive one and starts were clearly not guaranteed to Lonmeni despite his impact off the bench.A total of 24 different players have featured for Liverpool so far in this season’s U18 Premier League, with an emphasis on youth with four 16-year-olds, three 15-year-olds and a 14-year-old – midfielder Luca Eden – among those involved.Lonmeni, though still only 17, was the seventh-oldest player in the squad and a move closer to his hometown of London could provide him a better opportunity to break through.