West Brom: Carter Pinnington has cult hero potential as his Liverpool slogan proves

West Bromwich Albion appear to be signing a real character and true professional in Carter Pinnington.

The Albion are understood to be signing the 19-year-old Liverpool defender ahead of a host of transfer rivals.

Despite the Baggies only leaking 58 goals last season, James Morrison and The Hawthorns hierarchy clearly have an eye on the future at the position.

Wirral-born Pinnington has been with Liverpool since Under-7 level, and turned professional with the Anfield outfit in May 2024 as a 17-year-old.

Standing all of 6'2", the teenager will bring even more height and physicality to the Albion backline, securing a long-term option behind experienced campaigners such as Chris Mepham and Nat Phillips.

You don't come through at Liverpool and turn professional there if you don't have something about you, and it's clear that Pinnington does.

What is Carter Pinnington's Liverpool slogan?

For some young players, especially those developing at a massive football club like Liverpool, staying humble and grounded can be a big challenge.

We've all seen examples of highly-regarded youngsters not quite reaching their potential due to getting distracted by the bright lights, and thinking they've already made it.

That's not going to be a concern for West Brom with Pinnington, however, as this is a young player who leads by example.

As detailed in a November 2025 feature report with Liverpool's official club website, Pinnington was described as a 'young man carrying the mindset of an established professional.'

The report details Pinnington's regular post-match/training routine with their Under-21s, and it reveals he routinely didn't go straight home.

Instead, he headed for the cryotherapy chamber, standing in the machine for a number of minutes in sub-zero temperatures to help boost his recovery.

Pinnington's slogan-esque reasoning for doing this? To withstand 'short-term pain for long-term gain'.

"If you don't recover well, then how are you supposed to go the day after or the week after? Especially if you've got a few games in a week," Pinnington said.

"We have stuff here as well that the fitness staff really help with – the pool, the ice baths, the stretching.

"Everyone involved in sport realises how important recovery is – but it just matters how much you're willing to put into it."

Pinnington may have midfield potential with West Brom

Nowadays, so many young players are getting versed in the importance of being versatile.

It's a trait that an increasing number of managers are looking for from their players, and it's an especially valuable ability to posses in a league as relentlessly demanding as the Championship.

Pinnington ticks another box for West Brom in this regard too, as the youngster spoke of his ability to play in midfield via the aforementioned feature report.

"I've always been a defender but I'm sure I can do a decent job in midfield as well," he continued.

"On the ball is probably one of the strongest parts of my game. But I feel like when you go into midfield, you don't have as much time.

"Because you're further up the pitch, you play forwards more. I think going into midfield can only benefit any centre-half really.

"I like defending. At the weekend, I'd rather get a clean sheet and win 1-0, rather than win 2-1 and get the winner.

"Defenders, that's your game – clean sheets and stuff like that. I do like it."