Merlin Röhl has released a collection of pictures called Behind the Lens: Life with Everton, and the best part of it is not the novelty of a footballer with a camera. It is what he says about why he does it. He discovered photography two years ago, and the album folds in training-ground moments, dressing-room scenes and quieter walks around Liverpool.
"I think memories. I can hold on to something that normally just goes away," Röhl told BBC Sport, explaining why the hobby stuck. He added that after a tough training session he likes to "just go out, walk a little bit and have some photos". That sounds less like a stunt than a way of settling into a new routine at Everton, where he has made five Premier League appearances this season.
Carrick's role change
The project also hints at a player who is growing comfortable around the club. Röhl said the teammates he photographs were initially wary, but now "everybody is just like completely fine". He also said he has a good relationship with all of them, which helps him get better pictures.
The album includes the club's dressing room and recovery sessions, plus journeys with teammates and the build-up to matchdays at home and away. Röhl also photographed Liverpool on walks around the city's parks, beaches and streets. Even the joke about David Moyes fits the mood, with Röhl saying he is yet to ask for a photo and might be "a little bit scared to affect my starting position".
Everton are 11th in the Premier League with 10 points after 8 matches, and Röhl's 6.61 rating suggests steady rather than headline-grabbing output. The photo album does not change that, but it does show a player who is already finding a rhythm at Finch Farm and has enough confidence to put his own pictures out into the world.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
