Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has praised the progress of young defender Ki-Jana Hoever following an excellent pre-season for the Reds. The 17-year-old signed a new three-year contract last week and looks poised to have a more prominent in the first team.

Speaking about the Dutchman’s potential, Klopp said that the teenager is still very young but he is excited by the player’s potential after the fullback committed his future to the club:

“Ki-Jana is a wonderful kid and a sensational young player who can learn so much. Especially in the Napoli game when he came on, on the left side, it was maybe his best 15 minutes in the pre-season…”

“You can from time to time, especially the physical demands were really heavy for him to take. You forget so quickly these boys are so young. He’s still 17, it’s just crazy. But everything will be fine, he’s a fantastic footballer and I’m really happy that we have him for longer.”

With Nathaniel Clyne sidelined for six months with an ACL injury, we may see more of Hoever over the coming months than some would have expected. Joe Gomez may cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold when called upon but with the England international’s future at centre-back, other options will be required.

The Dutch Under-17 international may not play regularly in the Premier League but you can guarantee that he’ll feature in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this season.