Ki-Jana Hoever has admitted he is not concerned by not being included in Liverpool’s squad for their upcoming Champions League campaign.
The 17-year-old recently signed a new three-year deal at the Reds, and the Daily Mirror journalist David Maddock reported that Jurgen Klopp planned to use Hoever as defensive cover in the Premier League this season.
Speaking to Voetbal International, Hoever was disappointed but realised that his chance will come at a different date due to Klopp’s squad full of talent.
“I was not so concerned with it and did not know that the selection was coming,” he said.
“I was there in the second half of the season, but they told me that it was viewed per position and that I should not worry too much about it.”
“It’s a shame, but of course, they have a large group.”
Hoever arrived at Anfield in August 2018 from Ajax, with the Mirror reporting that the Reds beat competition from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, and Manchester City for his signature.
OPINION
It is a good sign that Hoever is disappointed, as it proves he is determined to break into the senior set-up under Klopp. That is something that will serve him well in the future, with hunger an attribute that every player needs to succeed under the German boss. The 17-year-old has featured only once for the senior side but continues to impress in the academy, and it should be no time before he gets an extended run in the matchday squad. The defender was on the bench for the UEFA Super Cup final against Chelsea, and should he remain patient, his chance will definitely come along for him to make an impact. His main task will be to help the under-23’s improve on their torrid start to the league at this moment, after conceding 13 goals in their first four games, in which three of those were defeat. Liverpool have told Hoever that his place in the squad will be evaluated by performance, and that is something he must use as motivation to kick on and earn his spot in the matchday squad regularly.
