Liverpool’s win over Sparta Prague last night couldn’t really have gone much better.
The Reds were utterly dominant at Anfield, posting four goals within the first 14 minutes of the game. With the score 9-1 on aggregate, there was no way back for Sparta.
As well as the goals though, there were plenty of other positives, too. One being Jurgen Klopp affording another run-out to some of his most promising youngsters. Mateusz Musialowski finally made his debut, for example, and now looks ready to be part of the first-team squad.
But of Klopp’s talented teens, the one to make the biggest impact was Bobby Clark. Clark has been steadily growing in stature this season and was rewarded with his first goal in senior football last night.
It was clearly a big moment for the 19-year-old, who took to Instagram after the game to celebrate. “What a feeling scoring my first goal for this great club,” says Clark. “Top support again! Into the quarters.”
Inundated with messages of congratulations from plenty his academy teammates, the teenager also saw some of Liverpool’s senior stars weigh in. Both Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai left applauding emojis to signal their delight for their young teammate.
Clark makes his mark
Truthfully, this had been coming from Clark. The former Newcastle academy talent has been really impressive every time he’s taken to the pitch for Liverpool.
His brilliant showing in the Carabao Cup final last month was further proof that he’s now ready to become a genuine option for the Reds.
Since then, Clark has kicked on further. He started two games in a row for Liverpool including a first ever Premier League start in the win over Nottingham Forest.
A 25 minute cameo in the first-leg in Prague last week signified a European debut, before his goal on Thursday put the cherry on the icing on the cake.
With midfield options like Ryan Gravenberch now returning to the fold, it will be interesting to see how Clark is handled for the rest of the season.
In theory, you’d expect that he’d drop down to being a bench option, or even fall out of the squad altogether at times.
But he’s clearly made an impression on some of Liverpool’s biggest names. He deserves the chance to keep his momentum going.
If Liverpool do end up winning this trophy in May, then Clark will have played his part. At this stage of his career, that bodes really well for the future. Virg can see it and Dom as well, Bobby is heading for the top.
