Liverpool Under-23s coach Neil Critchley hailed youngster Ki-Jana Hoever as “unbelievable” after his Premier League 2 debut in the weekend win against Everton.
The summer signing from Holland made his first appearance in the competition for the Under-23s side and rose to the occasion in Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Everton in the mini derby at Goodison Park.
Critchley was hugely impressed by the contribution of the young defender, who played at right-back against his side’s bitter rivals.
“Unbelievable. Sixteen. Wow,” Critchley told the Echo. “Considering he played in the week as well….. He tired towards the end which was understandable.
“But I thought his calmness and assurance, his decision-making, his intelligence without the ball, it was terrific. Playing against a good player, I was very impressed with him indeed.”
OPINION
Hoever’s debut display was all more impressive given that there would have been nervousness among the visitors heading into the match after their 7-0 walloping at the hands of Villarreal in the Premier League International Cup just four days earlier. Liverpool made nine changes to their starting XI, and one of those given his chance to impress was Ajax academy product Hoever. It was some performance from the teenager; assured, calm, composed in possession and positionally aware. Critchley, not a man prone to hyperbole, was massively impressed. Against an experienced Everton side, containing the likes of Jonjoe Kenny, Kieran Dowell and Tyias Browning, Hoever’s performance at right wing-back stood out for observers, including the many scouts who had poured into Goodison to watch the next generation in action. Virgil van Dijk, it seems, is not the only Dutch defender creating waves at Liverpool.