Jurgen Klopp discusses Ki-Jana Hoever’s position after MK Dons win

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he will need to see how Ki-Jana Hoever develops physically before using him centrally.

The Dutch starlet featured as a right-back in last night’s 2-0 Carabao Cup win over MK Dons and really impressed for the Reds.

The 17-year-old, who was poached from Ajax’s esteemed youth academy last year, has the ability to play at right-back and centre-half.

He has made six appearances in total this season (five coming with the U23s) and he has played a couple of times as a central defender for Neil Critchley’s side.

Speaking about the talented youngster, first-team boss Klopp said (Liverpool Echo): “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 percent ready.

“He has the speed and the passing, his crossing can be improved which will be useful from the full-back position.”

TBR’s view

Hoever seems very well suited to the role of right-back, and it will be interesting to see if there will be some significant physical changes in the years to come.

Hoever is under 6ft tall and, given his young age, has a fairly slight build.

For the moment Klopp is right to be thinking about utilising him out wide – he makes for a great backup to Trent Alexander-Arnold.

He may get some outings as a centre-half for the U23s, but the Premier League is very physical and young Hoever should arguably be protected from a potential baptism of fire.