It was the senior stars who got the job done for Liverpool against LASK on Thursday night, but Jurgen Klopp was just as effusive in his praise for the younger members of his squad.
Goals from Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah sent Liverpool 3-0 up inside an hour, with Gakpo adding his second - and the Reds' fourth - in stoppage time. The healthy lead allowed Klopp to rest a few players for the latter stages of the game while introducing two of his younger charges.
That meant a Europa League debut for Conor Bradley and more minutes in the competition for Luke Chambers after the left-back made his full debut earlier this season. Kaide Gordon was also among the subs after a long time on the sidelines, and Klopp hailed the youngsters - along with teenage sensation Stefan Bajcetic - during his post-match press conference.
"I love that, they deserve it," Klopp told TNT Sports, when asked about the youngsters. "Conor, with just a few moments in the game, you can see that he’s a real talent, real prospect for us, we really count on him.
"It’s so nice to see the boys, Luke as well, it’s cool. We could have brought on Kaide Gordon who is finally back in full training and he looks super in training so a lot of positives. But of course, Conor tonight, I told him after the game: ‘Enjoy it’.
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"It’s harsh on these boys. The body sometimes when you are a real talent, Conor for example, and Stefan Bajcetic, when you are ready footballing-wise, but the body still needs to grow into the intensity so these two boys now have this spell and we have to make sure we don’t overdo it and we really try and be careful with the boys but sometimes it happens anyway with the boys so he’s back and ready to help us."
Which of Liverpool's youngsters should start the next Europa League game? Have your say in the comments section
Conor Bradley made his first appearance of the season against LASK (Paul Currie/REX/Shutterstock)Bradley made his European debut for Liverpool in the 2021-22 season, during a Champions League game against AC Milan. He missed the start of this season with a back injury, though, and this was his first appearance since returning to full fitness.
By the time the Northern Ireland international entered the fray, along with left-back Chambers, it was 3-0 to the Reds. Diaz's diving header and a close-range Gakpo effort made it two inside the first 15 minutes, with Salah scoring the third from the penalty spot after a foul on Gakpo.
Liverpool have won four of their five group games, with a narrow defeat in Toulouse the only exception, and are assured of top spot in the group with a four-point advantage over the French side with one game to go. The Reds are away to Union SG, who still have a slim chance of claiming second place in the group, though Toulouse need just a point from their trip to Austria to progress.
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