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The Wirral-born defender, a Liverpool fan since birth, was a regular with the Reds' under-17 side when he was just 15, and remarkably he even appeared for the under-19 team despite being four years younger than most of the other players at that level, a sure sign of his plentiful early ability. Raven was also a captain for his country right through from schoolboy to under-20 level, although he has played the majority of his games for the England junior elevens at centre-half.
Raven continued his solid progress in the Anfield youth and reserve ranks and impressed boss Rafa Benitez, who had only been in charge of Liverpool for six months. Infact Benitez was so pleased with the efforts of Raven that December 2004 was a breakthrough month for the right-back, Raven making his full first-team debut in a Carling Cup win over Tottenham (he played for the first-team in a pre-season friendly against Wrexham five months earlier), while also being handed a two-year professional contract with the Reds. Interestingly all this coming having given up a potential career as a musician to ply his trade in football.
David found it hard to break his way into a well-drilled Liverpool defence packed with seasoned internationals on a regular basis though, and in February 2006 he went on loan to League One side Tranmere until the end of the season. Raven made 11 appearances for the Prenton Park outfit in his loan spell, picking up four yellow cards in the process. He was also booked twice for Liverpool in his three starts and one substitute role for the Reds as well though, so it would seem match discipline is something the 21-year old needs to work on.
He looks to be a more than useful signing for the Blues however, as a right-back was always on the shopping list and it would seem Raven has been a United target for quite some time now. It certainly gives regular Cumbrians right-back Paul Arnison something to think about as well, and the performances of the two in the pre-season matches will probably decide who starts in defence in the first game of the season against Doncaster Rovers.
Welcome to Carlisle David, and good luck!