Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp believes that Liverpool summer signing Dominic Solanke still has a long way to go despite his recent call-up to the England squad.
Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate decided to give the 20-year-old his first call-up to senior squad to face Brazil in the international friendly at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The striker completed a permanent switch to Merseyside from Premier League champions Chelsea during the summer transfer window in search of more regular first-team football.
Although Solanke has made 11 appearances, he is yet to complete 90 minutes in the Premier League for the Reds this season which has contributed to him failing to score or provide a single goal in the process.
The youngster has still delivered impressive performances for his new club and he has also produced the goods for the England Under-21s side, scoring twice in as many appearances.
Writing in his column for the Daily Mail, former Liverpool man Redknapp reveals that he is delighted that Solanke has received the call-up but admits that he still has a lot to prove.
“Dominic Solanke was one of my Ten to Watch for this season — so I am thrilled he, too, has been called up — but he hasn’t started a game for Liverpool in the Premier League yet,” he wrote.
“Chelsea were sad to see him leave, but he felt there was a clearer path at Liverpool.
“He will feel he has been vindicated with this call-up, but he has more work to do.”
OPINION
England boss Southgate deserves a lot of credit for putting his faith in youth for these friendlies against some of the world’s best. However, it was still a surprise to see Solanke receiving a call-up when he has hardly featured for the Reds whilst the likes of his club teammate Daniel Sturridge has hit form in recent weeks and not been selected. If he is given the opportunity to feature against the Brazilians in midweek, Solanke needs to replicate the performance of Ruben Loftus-Cheek on Friday and show that he seriously needs to be considered for a place in next year’s World Cup. As Redknapp mentioned, there is no doubt that he has to do more but at least people are willing to give him the chance to shine.