Dominic Solanke Reflects on First Goal, “Fantastic” Night

In his first two outings with Liverpool this preseason, 19-year-old striker Dominic Solanke had a few close calls, but had not yet made the net bulge. With the scores knotted at zero and an hour already gone by, the former Chelsea man collected a Divock Origi back heel, turned, and fired off a hard, low shot, beating the keeper on the far side.

"It was a fantastic night for me," Solanke told the club’s official website. "The fans were amazing today, they made a great atmosphere, so to get my first goal in these circumstances was amazing.

"The first two games I came close a couple of times but it was worth the wait.”

Of course the goal will not count toward his official totals with the club, but it is a mental hurdle better to clear now than during competitive matches. And while it is difficult to know where he’ll fit in manager Jürgen Klopp’s plans for the season, he has already shown himself to be an attacking threat, one that very well could push fellow goal-scorer on the night, Origi, for minutes.

"It's been a really good start to pre-season, getting to know the boys and coming away to Hong Kong," Solanke continued.

"Everyone's made me feel very welcome, it's a great bunch of lads.

"To come away to Hong Kong and to work together to get fit, everyone needs each other, and they've made me feel welcome."

Hopefully this is just a preview of great things to come from the young striker.