“It gets so toxic with players who don’t play” – Ex-Liverpool defender opens up on why he quit football aged 25

Former Liverpool defender Joe Maguire who quit football aged 25 has explained why he made the decision to cut his career short.

Maguire spent the early stages of his short-lived career in the Merseysiders' youth system, failing to make an appearance for the first team. He then dropped down the English football league to clubs such as Crawley Town and Accrington Stanley.

However, Maguire made the decision to quit football in July 2022. He claims that football made him feel like a slave and that it was a very toxic environment. The Englishman admits he often clashed with coaches (via The Sun):

“It gets so toxic with players who don’t play and managers who don’t speak to them — or who speak to them like s*** without any respect. That’s where I clashed with managers. If someone speaks to me a certain way, I bite back."

Maguire's problems didn't come at Liverpool but rather elsewhere during his career. He added:

“You come from Liverpool, where it’s one massive unit of players and staff who want to do well for each other, then you go somewhere else and it’s very different personalities, lots of cliques, and it just feels toxic.”

The former Anfield academy player has since been enjoying interests away from football. He attended Paris Fashion Week and was invited to Salon Prive Concours by Bugatti.

Moreover, he's also been exploring the globe as flying has always been one of the 27-year-old's passions. He's been enjoying adventures in Colombia while also describing being in a plane as his 'happy place' in one of his Instagram posts.

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Liverpool defender Joe Gomez hopes his consistent game time this season continues

Joe Gomez is enjoying his football.

Joe Gomez has been a regular for Jurgen Klopp this season, making nine appearances across competitions. He's helped the Reds keep two clean sheets and has bounced back from past years of injury problems.

The English defender has been delighted with the amount of game time he's been handed so far this season. He said (via LiverpoolOffside):

"I want to have consistency and durability, play a solid season and enjoy my football more than anything."

Gomez alluded to his recent injury issues having nursed a knee problem throughout last season:

“I obviously have a different outlook on it because of the injuries [in the past]. But just be the best version of myself and see where that takes me. Control the controllables because sometimes opportunity comes, sometimes it doesn’t”.

The Englishman expressed his gratitude for Klopp who has continuously trusted him despite his fitness woes:

“From the whole team and then on a personal note he knows, going through the injuries and him having the faith to see that I can rebuild myself and be a player that wants to play for him and impact the team, that’s forever."

Gomez joined Liverpool from Charlton Athletic in 2015 for £3.5 million. He has made 182 appearances, providing six assists. He has won the UEFA Champions League, the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup.