Former Arsenal youth team sensation Ovie Ejiara was handed his first team debut by manager Jurgen Klopp alongside new Liverpool signings Sadio Mane,Joel Matip and Loris Karius.
Ejiara lasted 45 minutes in Liverpool’s first pre season game against Tranmere Rovers which they won 1-0 thanks to a Danny Ings goal in the second half of the game.
18 year old Ejiara trained with the Nigeria U-17 team of 2013 under coach Manu Garba alongside the likes of Watford record signing Isacc Success and Manchester City super teen Kelechi Iheanacho but wasn’t selected to feature for Nigeria at the World Youth Championship.
He joined Liverpool from Arsenal two years ago and made an instant impact on Klopp shortly after the manager’s arrival last October.
Klopp among many things he did upon his resumption as Liverpool boss was to watch the Under-18s in Kirkby and in that very game Ejiara scored the winner.
In March he was selected alongside some other Liverpool youngsters for warm weather training in Tenerife and with the new season fast approaching he could force his way into the plans of the manager although the U-21s still remain his best bet of getting regular games for now.
*Rasheed Michael
