Huddersfield Town v Liverpool under-21s: Former Newcastle United keeper eyes career first - plus his two-fold Terriers role

The experienced Huddersfield Town goalkeeper, now 33, has represented ten clubs - in three different countries - and played for England up to under-18 level.

He has seen most things that football has to offer. But not a promotion. Not yet.

It is something that he dearly wants to put right at Huddersfield.

He'd obviously prefer a substantial playing role, but if that doesn't transpire, he will contribute in any way he can.

At League One level, Alnwick has played second fiddle to England under-21 custodian Matty Young so far this term.

The Hexham-born keeper has made two appearances in 2026-27, both in the EFL Trophy and a third will arrive against Liverpool under-21s tonight.

Town's qualification for the next stage of the Trophy is already assured and only a huge away win for Liverpool - which realistically shouldn't happen - will deny Town top spot in Northern Group H.

While the Trophy retains importance, the big priority remains league business.

Alnwick told The Yorkshire Post: "I've played in the Premier League, Championship, League One and in Scotland. I've dotted about a bit on loan at times. But I've never had a promotion, which is something that I want to achieve.

"I've been pushing because I know Matty's playing at the minute.

"The better he does and the better I push him, the more successful the club will be and the more successful I'll be. And obviously I want a promotion as well.

"I think that's not just the squad. I think that's the whole (club) staff.

"And when I say staff, I don't mean immediate staff. I mean all the guys around this place, the ladies who do the food and everything.

"It's about standards. This year I think they have gone up again.

"I think it's a collective thing. It's fans and everybody included who can really push the club to get a promotion."

Approaching his mid-30s, Alnwick - who joined Town on an 18-month deal from Cardiff in January - knows that his role is now two-fold. He has his own job to do in terms of doing everything he can to become No 1.

Equally, he understands that his seniority means that he is also a bit of a mentor for the club's younger keepers.

Especially fellow north-easterner Young, currently on international business with the Young Lions.

He continued: "I love it. For years and years, I've always tried to help the young goalkeepers.

"My aim is to play as many games as physically possible. That still hasn't left me. I still feel like a 21-year-old kid when you ask me if I want to play football.

"But I do also love helping people because I know goalkeeping is a tough world to be in.

"Especially with Matty, he's only 19 years old. I came through at Sunderland until I was 14 years old and then made the move to Newcastle.

"Actually his goalkeeping coach all the way through was also mine when I was a kid. So we've obviously had that connection straight away.

"He's a great lad. And I think he's done well this season. It's different from obviously coming from playing in League Two last season (at Salford) to a big club like this.

"But I think he's handled it really well and I'm helping him, but also trying to push him because it's healthy competition and I think that'll go a long way this season."

Alnwick counts himself fortunate to have learned from some big characters - and not just top keepers - during his grounding at St James' Park.

They include Steve Harper, who spent a loan spell at Huddersfield back in 1997-98.

"I couldn't have had any better and different goalkeepers at the time," he continued.

"When I was really young, Shea Given was coming towards the end, but Steve Harper was still there.

"And then the older ones above me were Tim Krul and Fraser Forster. All of them were really, really different goalkeepers.

"Then Rob Elliot came through as well, who had been and done the lower league stuff and then came to Newcastle.

"So I had a variety of different people to feed off different things because not every goalkeeper is going to be the same.

"I probably modelled myself more on Steve Harper because of the height and his style of play. But it's good to have all those sort of people around you. It's something that sticks with me."

Tonight's game with Liverpool (kick-off 7pm) is the precursor to a 10-day break for Town, who will return to competitive action at home to Leicester City on November 21 - their fourth consecutive match at the Accu Stadium in all competitions.