Some great performances from this 18 year old so far this pre-season. Does anyone think he may make the 1st team squad this season ? LC, FAC or maybe even PL sub appearances ?
I only saw the highlights of the Chelsea match and couldn't see where Ejaria was playing in regard to Grujic in the first half. Are they competing for the same place ?
ECHO on Ejaria vs. Chelsea
Ovie Ejaria 8
A superb display from the 18-year-old. Hard to tell what he's going to do with the ball – and not sure he knows half the time – but is effective. Energetic, too. Unfortunate not to register superb assist for Firmino. The linesman's flag to rule out Roberto Firmino's first-half strike was such a pity, if only because it denied Ovie Ejaria a showreel assist. Flicking the ball from foot to foot, he turned sharply and backheeled a pass into the path of Firmino. The Brazilian tucked it away, but his celebrations were cut short.
Echo Comment
It has been a showreel couple of weeks for the 18-year-old midfielder, in truth. He is a curious player. For the Academy sides, his talent is obvious, but his application of it is sometimes erratic. There is an unpredictability to his play – no bad thing until it becomes clear he, himself, is uncertain of what he wants to do.
Raw would be the best way to describe his efforts for the youth sides last season. Yet in the first-team this summer, albeit in pre-season friendlies, there is an assuredness to accompany his talent. His passes were more accurate, his movement more purposeful.
It began at Tranmere, with Ejaria one of the star players. He also performed well at Fleetwood and Wigan, before another fine showing at Huddersfield.
A pattern is emerging. The harder the opposition, the higher the performance level from the Nigerian.
So it proved against Chelsea. This was a Premier League side he was up against – not a full-strength one, granted, but one that still contained a midfield of Nemanja Matic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Cesc Fabregas.
Ejaria more than held his own. He moved around the pitch quickly, popped off passes smartly, and was the most impressive performer in Liverpool's midfield.
His acceleration with the ball at his feet will prove a useful asset, but he is not a player who relies on speed or power alone. There is technique in those young feet, too, with his disallowed assist to Firmino the best example of that.
Ojaria must develop more, and he likely will. But though Klopp said it did not matter which youngsters went on the US tour, Ejaria is looking like a good choice – if only to witness how he enjoys the big occasion.
I only saw the highlights of the Chelsea match and couldn't see where Ejaria was playing in regard to Grujic in the first half. Are they competing for the same place ?
ECHO on Ejaria vs. Chelsea
Ovie Ejaria 8
A superb display from the 18-year-old. Hard to tell what he's going to do with the ball – and not sure he knows half the time – but is effective. Energetic, too. Unfortunate not to register superb assist for Firmino. The linesman's flag to rule out Roberto Firmino's first-half strike was such a pity, if only because it denied Ovie Ejaria a showreel assist. Flicking the ball from foot to foot, he turned sharply and backheeled a pass into the path of Firmino. The Brazilian tucked it away, but his celebrations were cut short.
Echo Comment
It has been a showreel couple of weeks for the 18-year-old midfielder, in truth. He is a curious player. For the Academy sides, his talent is obvious, but his application of it is sometimes erratic. There is an unpredictability to his play – no bad thing until it becomes clear he, himself, is uncertain of what he wants to do.
Raw would be the best way to describe his efforts for the youth sides last season. Yet in the first-team this summer, albeit in pre-season friendlies, there is an assuredness to accompany his talent. His passes were more accurate, his movement more purposeful.
It began at Tranmere, with Ejaria one of the star players. He also performed well at Fleetwood and Wigan, before another fine showing at Huddersfield.
A pattern is emerging. The harder the opposition, the higher the performance level from the Nigerian.
So it proved against Chelsea. This was a Premier League side he was up against – not a full-strength one, granted, but one that still contained a midfield of Nemanja Matic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Cesc Fabregas.
Ejaria more than held his own. He moved around the pitch quickly, popped off passes smartly, and was the most impressive performer in Liverpool's midfield.
His acceleration with the ball at his feet will prove a useful asset, but he is not a player who relies on speed or power alone. There is technique in those young feet, too, with his disallowed assist to Firmino the best example of that.
Ojaria must develop more, and he likely will. But though Klopp said it did not matter which youngsters went on the US tour, Ejaria is looking like a good choice – if only to witness how he enjoys the big occasion.
