'He is on a fantastic way' - Klopp pleased with Solanke progress
Jürgen Klopp has expressed delight with Dominic Solanke's progress since his move to Liverpool and expects the striker to improve on a promising first Merseyside derby outing.
The 20-year-old summer signing was handed his third start for the Reds on Sunday, playing 82 minutes as Everton claimed a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
Klopp was pleased with large parts of the forward's performance, but insists he has seen more from him on the pitches at Melwood.
And he expects that to become apparent to observers as Solanke continues to develop under his tutelage.
"He is on a fantastic way, that’s maybe the main message. He could have played a little bit more confidently, but he's a young boy," he told reporters.
"In a few situations I saw him doing differently than he would have done in training but we all have to learn to deal with expectations, crowd, atmosphere, the importance of the game and stuff like this.
"I'm really happy that he did what he did and it will help him a lot, 100 per cent.
"He made the chance for Sadio after the throw-in, it was a little chance and a good challenge.
"He's a smart player, I like him. He can play better, 100 per cent, but it was a good second step, if you want."
Solanke's replacement, Danny Ings, was making his first Premier League appearance since the final day of the 2015-16 season having since overcome the second serious knee injury of his Reds career.
On the 25-year-old, Klopp said: "Danny is fit but the situation is like it is, the other [strikers] are good as well and in very good shape.
"That makes it obviously a little bit difficult for Danny but he is fit, he is in good shape, as you can see in the U23s.
"He takes the situation like it is, he wants to have minutes, he's always asking. It makes much more sense for him to play 90 minutes in the U23s than to get a few minutes [for the first team] but this week it was possible.
"I'm sure it was nice for him, I'm pretty sure he scored his last goal in the Premier League against Everton before I came in.
"Now he played against Everton again, I thought it would be a good idea to involve him.
"He's in a very, very good way, everything injury-wise is perfect, no issues anymore.
"That's the most important thing for him because he is still a young boy and there's a lot to come for him."