He’s already been a busy man in the transfer market, but Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was forced to get a bit creative with his squad in last night’s pre-season friendly against Huddersfield.
When Lucas pulled up with a hamstring injury on the hour-mark, the German had already used all of his available outfield substitutes, and it was looking like the Reds would see out the remainder of the game with 10 men.
Cut to 18-year-old academy goalkeeper, Shamal George, who suddenly found himself playing off lone striker Danny Ings up front.
The towering shot stopper, who usually finds himself playing in the U18 and U21 sides, wasn’t just there to make up the numbers, though. He was agonisingly denied a potentially glorious one-on-one opportunity when the referee blew for offside.
https://twitter.com/LiverpoolGifs/status/755862305783635968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
And although Moreno slotted home a penalty in the dying minutes, it was unsurprisingly George that the fans had wanted to see step up to the spot.
Alberto Moreno's goal, everyone wanted Shamal George to take the penalty 😂#YNWA #LFC pic.twitter.com/YxGCXkZ7Mz
— Azad 🇵🇸 (@azadrasoo11) July 20, 2016
After the game, George told us that he didn’t think his manager was being serious when he called him over from the bench.
“There were no more substitutes except me, and Jurgen called me over and said I had to come on,” he said. “I didn’t believe him at first so I just started laughing. He explained my positioning and just told me to stay up number 9, be confident and enjoy the moment.”
The youngster also thought he was onside when the linesman’s flag went up for the aforementioned one-on-one, and said it would have ‘made my dreams’ if he’d been able to run through and find the back of the net.
As for the penalty incident, it sounds like George would have been up for it, but he’s not ruling out another opportunity in the future.
“I saw Moreno grab it so I didn’t want to take it off him, it would have been disrespectful, even though the crowd wanted me on it. Hopefully there are plenty more moments for me as striker or goalkeeper. I’m easy.”
The Liverpool fans seem to have high hopes for their new attacking ace as well. In fact, one look at the his Twitter page will tell you that they reckon he’s going all the way to the top.
It's only a matter of time.. @shamal_george #LFC pic.twitter.com/pc7cC5Kzec
— ʜᴀʀʀʏ ⚡️🥷 (@liverpotter) July 20, 2016
