Jurgen Klopp reserved special praise for youngsters Harvey Elliot and Caoimhin Kelleher following Liverpool’s 2-0 win over MK Dons, but admits Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are yet to return to their best.
The Reds booked their place Carabao Cup fourth round as goals from James Milner and Ki-Jana Hoever secured a comfortable victory away from home on Wednesday night.
Though Milner was credited with Liverpool’s opener at Stadium MK, the midfielder was given an almighty helping hand by goalkeeper Stuart Moore who calamitously bundled the ball into his own net.
Hoever scored his first ever goal to put Liverpool out of sight in the 69th minute and the Merseyside giants will face Arsenal at Anfield in the fourth round.
After the final whistle, Klopp heaped praise on his young stars who impressed at Stadium MK.
‘Caoimhin is a wonderful goalkeeper and I’m happy he could show that tonight,’ the German said.
‘I saw a lot of good and exciting performances but moments here, moments there, that’s what we all know about the boys.
‘They’re confident, that’s how the young boys are but then it’s important that life gives you – not a knock – but a little push. It’s not that easy if you play with the real men.
‘We saw Harvey, what a player he is!’
Both Naby Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain managed to play the majority of the third round tie but Klopp admits the midfield duo are yet to return to their best following injuries.
Asked specifically about Keita’s performance at his post-match press conference, Klopp added: ‘We don’t have to say [anything definitive] now.
‘Obviously it looked good in moments, but he has to adapt to the position again.
‘We saw it with Ox as well, that’s how it is if you’re out for a while, but in moments you saw what an incredible player he is.
‘We don’t have to rush it now hopefully, but we can use him now.’
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