Dominic Solanke was given his first Liverpool Premier League start in their 3-0 midweek win at Stoke City – and fans took to Twitter to deliver mixed verdicts on his performance.
The summer signing spearheaded the attack as manager Jurgen Klopp made six changes to the team that drew 1-1 against Chelsea on Saturday.
With Mohamed Salah, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge dropped to the bench, Klopp put his faith in a new-look forward line of Solanke, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
It paid dividends as Solanke set up Mane for the opener after 17 minutes and then Salah came on midway through the second period to score twice and catapult him back as the sole leader of the Premier League scoring charts with 12 goals for the season and a remarkable 17 in all competitions.
Solanke played 67 minutes of the clash at the Britannia Stadium before making way for the Egyptian maestro.
It was the youngster’s 11th appearance for Liverpool but only his second start, and his first in the league.
Fans delivered varied verdicts on his performance, with some claiming he linked up well with his fellow forwards and others highlighting a lack of potency in front of goal.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
Solanke: everything but then goal last night. Brilliant link with Firmino from which he should have scored. Showed he’s a genuine option. #LFC
— Dave Davis (@DaveD0106) November 30, 2017
So much for Brucie’s comments. Solanke will make it with us! #LFC https://t.co/CeRd2kdbYv
— I Love Liverpool (@love_liverpool) November 30, 2017
Solanke did ok, had one chance, hurried it, ran the channels well, linked up with Firmino well…matter of getting the first goal.. #lfc
— Man of Justice (@SuperGops) November 30, 2017
I’d add Solanke and Keita to this list too. Shrewd business #LFC https://t.co/R4KXJntBJM
— Est. 1892 (@Bobbybloomer) November 30, 2017
Solanke looked sharp for #LFC. Nice assist for Mane’s opener.
— Bandra Bugger (@Bandra_local) November 30, 2017
Verdict:
Mane ????????????
Salah ????????????
Solanke ????????????
Lovren ????????????
Atkinson ????????????
Dealing with a cold Wednesday night in Stoke ????????????#LFC https://t.co/cxZpbY3KJL by #JamesPearceEcho via @c0nvey— TIMOKINS[MD] (@timokins) November 30, 2017
@DomSolanke should’ve had a goal and 2 assists tonight. Giving him the benefit of the doubt due to lack of match sharpness but you’ve got to bury that. However aside from that link up play and awareness superb #solanke #LFC #YNWA
— Adam (@UddineseLFC) November 30, 2017
Good result and a clean sheet. Still looked fragile at the back but clean sheets will hopefully build confidence. Solanke did well. And what can you say about Salah? #LFC #YNWA
— Mark Shannon (@Cricketdel) November 29, 2017
Solanke’s link up play and chance creation were outstanding at times tonight. #LFC
— Dan Copeland (@ETFootball) November 29, 2017