Gary Lineker was impressed with what he saw from the Young Lions tonight as the England Under-21s were beating Denmark 3-1, and singled out young Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke for particular praise.
First off he sent out a general tweet about the side, purring about the future being bright.
Watching @England U21’s is a delight. So much talent playing lovely football. The future is very bright.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 20, 2018
Then the Solanke show started, with the 21-year-old scoring a brace, despite only seeing action for the Under-23s at Liverpool this season.
BT Sport sent out a tweet containing a video of his second goal, described by the commentators as “ridiculously good”.
After the Denmark goalie spilled a shot from Phil Foden, Solanke picked the ball up and chipped him with a back-heel.
That got Lineker back on Twitter to deliver a one-word verdict “Swanky” from Solanke, although he added two clapping emojis to show just how much he enjoyed the goal.
Swanky from Solanke. ?? https://t.co/qbwg6LA3vc
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 20, 2018
OPINION
Dominic Solanke might be finding it hard to convince Jurgen Klopp that he deserves a place in the Liverpool first-team, but his stock will have risen a notch after a brilliant display for the England Under-21 side tonight. He scored two goals but the second was, as the commentator said, ridiculous. With no place in the first-team in sight, Solanke might have to think about a loan move in January and this sort of display will earn him a better class of suitor. It’s ironic that after he left Chelsea with a parting shot, complaining that he wasn’t getting enough football at the West London side, he hasn’t fared any better at Liverpool. Klopp’s side are blessed with some of the best attackers in the Premier League though and it could be time for Solanke to seek out a club where he can develop the natural talent that he’s obviously got. He showed that tonight and it’s about time he got to show it regularly for a club side. He’s good enough for the Premier League but he might be even better off at Rangers, where he could learn and develop under Steven Gerrard. Playing in the Premiership would surely do his confidence the world of good too.