Jake O’Brien’s girlfriend was spotted at Goodison Park during last night’s Merseyside derby. O’Brien started once again as the blues drew 2-2 in the last ever derby at the famous stadium.
He defended well for the most part but his momentary hesitation saw Liverpool substitute Curtis Jones anticipate a loose ball quicker than him which proved crucial leading up to Liverpool’s second goal from Mohammed Salah. Thankfully, his fellow defender James Tarkowski scored a stunning last-gasp equaliser in stoppage time.
O’Brien found opportunities hard to come by under Sean Dyche but David Moyes has played the Cork-born footballer far more since he returned to the club.
Away from the pitch, O’Brien is in a relationship with make-up and fashion influencer Sophie Lawlor, who is also from Cork. The pair have been together for more than four years.
Sophie’s videos about fashion, shopping and beauty advice have garnered over 1m likes in total on TikTok. Last night, Sophie revealed she and her dad Joe were in the stands. Posting on her Instagram story, Sophie shared a selfie of them together and said: “First Merseyside derby for us.”
After the fans had left the stadium, Sophie joined O’Brien for a walk on the famous pitch, adding: “What an atmosphere tonight, wow. Loved it.”
Speaking about their relationship last year when Jake was playing in France, Sophie revealed they had known each other since childhood.
She said: “Jake and I met through family friends. Our aunts are best friends so we would have known each other from a young age but then we went to secondary school together and that’s where our friendship started. So definitely friends to lovers but I always had a secret crush on him since I was young!”
In a recent TikTok video, Sophie spoke of her pride at Jake getting his first Premier League start last month against Tottenham and revealed that Seamus Coleman’s wife Rachel Cunnigham had invited the couple and O’Brien’s brother Charlie to their box in Goodison for the game.
Sophie said: “I’m over the moon. I’ve never been so happy. We’ve waited for this moment for such a long, long time and it’s finally happening. I’m just so excited to watch him play football because it’s been a very long time but that’s the price you pay in football. Not everything goes to plan all the time.
“Seamus Coleman’s wife Rachel kindly invited me and Charlie to their box. They’re the most genuine, nice people. It’s so kind of them to even think of us.”