Klopp full of praise for Liverpool youngsters after Carabao Cup victory

[TLW]

Jurgen Klopp was thrilled with the performance of his youngsters after their 2-0 win over MK Dons in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.

The Reds came up against a gallant opponent who sit 15th in League One and were playing in front of their biggest ever crowd at Stadium MK.

Liverpool were the first team on the scoreboard through a strike by James Miner just before half time which seemed to catch Dons goalkeeper Stuart Moore off-guard as the ball bounced off his chest and went into the back of the net.

The veteran then supplied defender Ki-Jana Hoever with a pin-point cross for the youngster to produce a bullet header from close range which was his first goal for the club.

There were four teenagers in Liverpool’s starting line-up with summer signing Harvey Elliott starring in his debut appearance for the club.

Elliott hit the post twice and was involved  in a number of flowing moves in an evening where he became the youngest player to make his competitive debut for the club at 16 years and 174 days.

Speaking after the game, Klopp was delighted with his performance but was keen to nurture him slowly as he still had some things to work on.

But he said the opportunities will come.

The Echo reported the manager as saying:

“At 16 years old still and [Elliott] is this kind of footballer is really good for us.

 

"He is a brilliant boy, he takes the situation really well and wants to learn. 

“He will always be a special player for moments, but you see overall with his defending and movements, it is not easy so that is really good. 

“ His left-foot is not too bad, he was a bit unlucky otherwise he would have scored.

 

"They (the youngsters) are all good, they are all really skilled but that's why it is important to give them games like this.

 

"We will try to continue like this, so we will see.

 

"They all have the right environment here and we can really take care of these boys.

 

"We believe in them and they have to make the next step. 

 

 

Klopp elaborated on what he has in mind for the next step of Hoever’s development.

 

He believes that there is no rush to put him in a set position at this stage.

“ So in the first half he was defensively orientated.

 

"Second half he was able to get in the box and it was a wonderful goal. Wonderful cross (from Milner) absolutely.

“There is no reason to decide his long-term position now.

“He can play both. For now, the full-back is a little bit better for him in the moment. 

 

“We have to see how he develops physically, playing in the centre is very demanding and you have to be physically one hundred per cent ready. 

“He has the speed and the passing, his crossing can be improved which will be useful from the full-back position. 

“That has to be more natural, his desire to go in the right direction, open up when you control a pass and you see the pitch.

 

Klopp also had a mention for one of his favourites in Milner who gave one of his trademark professional performances.

“This man is on fire.

“He is a real role model for young players.

 

"The team had a lack of experience and a lack of rhythm and the player with the most experience and rhythm was the best player."

 

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