Teammate thinks ‘top’ £19m player sold by Liverpool is now being overlooked

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Dominic Solanke has stunned almost everybody with his rise since being sold by Liverpool to Bournemouth back in 2019.

Liverpool have been regularly praised for their ability to sell players for hefty fees.

Rhian Brewster and Jordon Ibe spring to mind, failing to really build on their early potential at Liverpool.

Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barcelona funded some big signings for Liverpool and the likes of Danny Ward, Danny Ings and Mamadou Sakho all brought in considerable cash.

One which stood out at the time was the deal to send Dominic Solanke to Bournemouth for a cool £19million.

Solanke had spent 18 months at Liverpool having joined from Chelsea back in the summer of 2017.

Despite managing just one goal in 27 games for Liverpool, Bournemouth coughed up the cash to bring Solanke to the South Coast.

The Cherries were roundly mocked as Solanke managed just four goals in his first 46 Bournemouth games – but he is now shining in the Premier League.

Adam Smith on Dominic Solanke

Solanke found his feet in the Championship, racking up 44 goals in 86 games before a decent return of seven Premier League goals last season.

The 26-year-old has now proven his quality in the top flight, racking up 16 goals in just 29 appearances.

Solanke was on the scoresheet against Liverpool’s old rivals Everton, helping Bournemouth claim a 2-1 victory.

Solanke has put himself in England contention and is bound to be wanted by some top clubs this summer having impressed so much this term.

That’s quite the rise from his Liverpool days and the Reds will be watching his future with interest given that they surely have a sell-on clause in the deal.

Solanke has now been praised by teammate Adam Smith following Saturday’s display against Everton.

Smith told BBC Sport that he thinks Solanke is a ‘top player’, believing that he can ‘do everything’.

Smith added that he can’t understand why Solanke isn’t in the England squad, believing that he is somewhat going under the radar ahead of Euro 2024.

“I’ve said it all along. He should be in the England squad. He is a top player, a top professional who can do everything,” said Smith. “I don’t really understand why he isn’t in the England squad. Maybe because he plays for little old Bournemouth. He’s a top player and if he keeps scoring goals like this I am sure he will get in the squad,” he added.

Solanke’s improvement over the last five years has been incredible to watch but his route to the England squad is tricky.

Harry Kane is the main man up top and we saw both Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney feature over the international break.

Solanke seems to be behind all three strikers right now and it’s difficult to see him breaking into the squad ahead of Euro 2024 – despite his superb form.