Reading manager critical of Ovie Ejaria despite Liverpool loanee’s wonder-goal

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Ovie Ejaria scored his first Championship goal of the season for Jose Gomes’s side since re-joining on loan from Premier League Liverpool.

Ovie Ejaria certainly enjoyed a mixed night as Reading drew 1-1 at home with West Bromwich Albion and, speaking to Get Reading, Royals coach Jose Gomes has warned the Liverpool loanee that he still has plenty to work on.

Ejaria looked set to be the match-winner at The Hawthorns after firing a thumping shot into the top corner of Sam Johnstone’s net midway through the second half of an intriguing Championship clash on Wednesday night.

But the 21-year-old went from hero to villain in the space of just 17 minutes, diving in foolishly to gift the Baggies a penalty which Kenneth Zohore fired straight down the middle to secure a share of the spoils.

While Gomes was understandably thrilled to see Ejaria open his account for the season with a brilliant strike from the edge of the box, he was at pains to point out that the England U21 international is far from the finished product, challenging him to let fly more often.

“He showed last season he is a great talent and he can even improve his performance,” said the typically outspoken Gomes.

“There are some details of his game which he can improve. I spoke to him during the week about his game and in my opinion if he plays like he does and he shoots more then his level will improve a lot.

“He tried in the first half here but it wasn’t a very strong shot. But in the second he did a great goal. If you don’t shoot it’s difficult to score so you must shoot.”

Gomes certainly has a point. In 65 career games, including loan spells at Sunderland and Rangers, Ejaria has only found the net five times in all competitions.

It is a record he can certainly improve on and that unstoppable shot which flew into West Brom’s goal highlights a part of Ejaria’s game that has so far gone under the radar.

If he wants to force his way into a star-studded Liverpool midfield this time next year, becoming a 10-goal a season man would certainly do him no harm at all.