There are no guarantees in football. Only 1% of players become professional. These are just a couple of the cliche sayings that are thrown at young players trying to break into the game, and unfortunately, the reason they are repeated so often is that it is true. Even players who look like they have all the potential in the world may just fluff their lines and fail to make the most of the talent they possess.
What doesn’t help is the pressure these wonderkids can be put under. Sometimes, the excitement surrounding a player is such that the weight of the world is placed on their shoulders. Some might argue that was the case with Ravel Morrison at Manchester United, who was earmarked for great success by Sir Alex Ferguson. The equivalent for a Liverpool youngster would be receiving the same praise from someone like Steven Gerrard.
That is exactly the treatment that former Reds defender Adam Lewis received. A full-back by trade, Lewis came through the academy at Melwood and showed signs of great promise. So much so that he was pinpointed as a future star by icon Gerrard. Years on from that public endorsement, things haven’t quite panned out in the way they were expected to.
Gerrard’s Praise of Adam Lewis
The Liverpool legend claimed that the defender was ‘the best he had seen’ at his age
Before starting his professional management career at Rangers, Gerrard set about earning his stripes on the touchline by becoming a youth coach at his boyhood club, before being promoted to become the manager of the under-18s in 2017. It was during this period of his career that he first came across Lewis, who was making his way up the ranks.
It was clear that the budding young star made an immediate impression on Gerrard, who gave perhaps the highest possible praise imaginable as he told the Liverpool Echo that the defender was the best player he had ever seen at that age group, even better than he was when he broke into the first team:
“Adam’s been doing it for us all season long. I’ve been singing his praises all along. If Adam can keep his consistency up, I don’t think he’ll be around this team much longer.
“I want to keep him for as long as I can but for me he’s such a threat on the left side. Going forward, I haven’t seen anyone as good as him at that age in terms of quality and what he can deliver in the final third.”
Lewis revealed in an interview with the club’s website in 2017 that it was his dream to make his debut for the first team. He was able to make that dream come true in front of the Kop, playing all 90 minutes in a 1-0 FA Cup win over Shrewsbury Town in 2020. However, that would end up being his only appearance for the senior team, as he was forced to settle for football much further down the pyramid since then.
Lewis’s Career Away From Liverpool
The defender made a permanent move away in 2024
While still contracted to the Reds, Lewis went on several loan spells to earn more first-team football, including with French side Amiens, Plymouth Argyle, and Livingston. It wasn’t until he joined Newport County that he really made his mark, spending two seasons at the Football League club and putting in some standout performances — even grabbing an assist against Manchester United in the FA Cup.
It seemed likely that, with a future at Liverpool almost impossible, he would stay with County on a permanent deal. However, he would instead complete a free transfer move to Morecambe, and was a virtual ever-present as they finished rocked bottom of League Two and dropped out of the Football League in the 2024/25 season.
Despite his team’s poor performance, though, he impressed enough to convince Chesterfield to sign him on a free transfer, meaning he continues to play League Two football in the 2025/26 campaign.
He’s found game-time very hard to come by at the Spireites, though. At the time of writing, he is yet to start a league match for his new side, with all seven of his appearances coming as a late substitute.
He has been given the opportunity to shine in the Football League Trophy, though, and marked his first start for the club against Crewe with a goal.
In terms of international accolades, Lewis made it as high as the England under-20 squad, making two appearances at this level, as well as numerous others in younger age brackets.
