OPINION
While eyes will be focused on Wembley on Thursday night as England take on the USA in a much-hyped friendly, one Liverpool ace was making waves in a far more low-profile clash
Striker Dominic Solanke scored twice for England Under-21s as they beat Italy 2-1 in another friendly in Ferrara, with the 21-year-old continuing his fine form at youth level on the international stage.
It was in the England youth set-up where Solanke really made his name, and in turn earned his controversial move to Liverpool from Chelsea following his triumph in the Under-20 World Cup with the Three Lions.
Solanke’s time at Liverpool has not really gone to plan so far, with the 6ft 1in youngster [Transfermarkt] being given plenty of chances last season by Jurgen Klopp but managing just one goal in 27 appearances.
He is yet to turn out for the first-team this season, but his brace for England on Thursday illustrates that he is still sharp and raring to go, and will have put Klopp on notice.
However, chances at Liverpool unfortunately look to be thin on the ground, with several players ahead of him in the pecking order.
With the January transfer window approaching, questions will begin to be asked about a potential exit for Solanke, likely to be on loan, which is something Echo journalist Ian Doyle believes is possible.
This is something which Liverpool will now be poring over, and they must agree to a loan exit for Solanke in the upcoming window.
The fact is that his development is being stunted by his lack of game time at the moment, and at 21 years old he needs to be playing regular first-team football if he is to reach his considerable potential.
His form is obviously still good and he will be a wanted man in the Championship and potentially among some lower-table Premier League sides.
Having a six-month spell of playing regular football will do Solanke the world of good, and prevent a situation in which he does not live up to expectations due to a lack of playing time.
It is easy to see that this is a player with vast potential, and it would be criminal for Liverpool to let that potential fall by the wayside in keeping him around this season with little prospect of playing.
