Jurgen Klopp has hailed Trent Alexander-Arnold after scoring his first Liverpool goal.
The teenager broke the deadlock in his side’s Champions League first leg play-off win over Hoffenheim and impressed as a deputy for the injured Nathaniel Clyne.
A well-taken free kick saw Alexander-Arnold open his account for the Reds as they edged out the Bundesliga side in their encounter at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena.
That was the right-back’s first senior goal of his career and Klopp was keen to praise him for having the courage to step up and take responsibility.
“He is an incredible young player,” said Klopp.
“I told him he had to take it – he can shoot free-kicks better than I ever could. But I don’t want the credit for it!
“I have to say for an 18-year-old who has the balls to take a free-kick like that, it is rather more exciting and interesting for me than a little mistake he makes.
“I told him to take it because I watched him many times for the under-23s last season. He took the free-kicks then and by the way the goal is the same size.
“There is a big challenge after training between him and Ben Woodburn. They are both good and both improving.
“It was a bit lucky as the wall didn’t jump but it was a very good free-kick and very important for us.
“It was an intense game for Trent. He still has some things to learn. He thought their goal was offside but it was unfortunately not offside.
“Trent is a great player and I have to say I’d rather win 2-1 than 1-0.”