Liverpool beat MK Dons 2-0 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has told the Liverpool Echo that there is ‘no reason’ to decide Ki-Jana Hoever’s long-term position right now.
The Reds headed to Milton Keynes to take on MK Dons on Wednesday night, with a spot in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup up for grabs.
Liverpool will have been desperate to avoid embarrassment after seeing Spurs lose at League Two side Colchester, and Klopp’s men had no such issues.
James Milner put Liverpool in front with an effort that Stuart Moore fumbled into his own net, before Milner teed up Hoever to head home the second.
16-year-old Harvey Elliott impressed and grabbed the headlines, but 17-year-old Hoever also caught the eye having got himself on the scoresheet.
The Dutch defender has been touted for a huge future, and Klopp praised his display after the final whistle, before being asked about his long-term position.
Hoever can play at right back or centre back, and Klopp feels there is no need to decide that right now, as his current attributes support playing at right back, but he could develop to become a centre back one day, so only time will tell.
“For Ki-Jana, I didn’t play on a similar stage when I was 18 years old at this really nice stadium, I wish other clubs would have had similar dressing rooms, by the way! So in the first half he was defensively orientated. Second half he was able to get in the box and it was a wonderful goal. Wonderful cross (from Milner) absolutely,” said Klopp.
“There is no reason to decide his long-term position now. He can play both. For now, the full-back is a little bit better for him in the moment. We have to see how he develops physically, playing in the centre is very demanding and you have to be physically one hundred per cent ready. He has the speed and the passing, his crossing can be improved which will be useful from the full-back position,” he added.
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