adminISAAC MABAYA woke up to lavish praise from Liverpool fans and seeing his name being featured, in his city’s biggest newspaper, along legends like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
The 17-year-old Zimbabwean defender made his debut for the Reds in Thailand on Tuesday in their 0-4 defeat at the hands of Manchester United.
Although he played for about half-an-hour, Liverpool fans took to social media to express their delight at Mabaya’s performance against United during pre-season.
The teenager, who was a regular member of Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s Under-18s side, was handed his first senior start by manager Jurgen Klopp for the fixture in the Bangkok Century Cup against the Reds’ arch-rivals, Manchester United.
Despite making a mistake for Jadon Sancho’s opening goal, after he failed to clear the ball adequately, the youngster was quick to receive heaps of praise on social media as he showed signs of promise with his bursting runs down the channel and an impressive block to deny Marcus Rashford from close range.
This was the verdict on the players, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Alisson Becker
Early pass to Chambers was treated almost as enthusiastically as a goal. Could do nothing about United’s first three strikes.
ISAAC MABAYA
CREATED PROBLEMS FOR UNITED GOING FORWARD BUT SLACK DEFENDING MEANT HE WAS AT FAULT FOR UNITED’S OPENER. ATONED LATER WITH A GOOD BLOCK TO DENY RASHFORD.
Joe Gomez
Composed in possession and Liverpool’s best defender. His determination to grab a goal continues.
Jordan Henderson
Sought to bring some solidity to the midfield which was on occasion overrun.
Fabio Carvalho
Struck the inside of the post and appeared very lively. Promising first glimpse of the summer signing.
Roberto Firmino
Caused some problems when dropping deep and linking the play. Distribution remains on point.
Luis Diaz
Wowed the crowd and caused Dalot a headache with his direct running and drew a decent stop from De Gea before hitting the post.
Joel Matip (for Gomez 30)
Minutes in the tank for the Cameroonian.
Rhys Williams
(for Phillips 30)
Had barely any time to acclimatise when he was robbed by Martial who raced away to score the third. Seemed a little unsettled as a consequence.
Kostas Tsimikas
(for Chambers 30)
Whipped in one teasing cross. Increasingly little to do defensively.
James Milner
(for Carvalho 30)
The pre-season demon found himself in some forward positions. Left McTominay in a heap with one strong challenge.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (for Elliott 30)
Good pressing to win the ball back and appeared lively. Point to prove, perhaps?
Bobby Clark (for Firmino 30)
Fantastic moment for the teenager leading the attack, reward for a good first season at the Academy.
Curtis Jones (for Diaz 30)
Did well when breaking into space but couldn’t quite find the finish just before half-time.
Adrian (for Alisson 46)
Watched a free-kick fly out of play and little chance with United’s last goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Frauendorf 60)
An instant link-up with Salah down the right drew huge cheers from the Liverpool contingent.
Virgil van Dijk (for Matip 60)
Another who will be happy with some game time.
Ibrahima Konate (for Williams 60)
Some solid interceptions but was caught upfield for United’s fourth goal.
Andy Robertson
(for Tsimikas 60)
One or two hints he may break forward but this was a contained showing.
Fabinho (for Bajcetic 60)
Somewhat rusty until finding something like his stride in the final 10 minutes.
Naby Keita (for Clarkson 60)
Almost released Nunez with one trademark swift pass with the outside of his right foot.
Thiago Alcantara
(for Milner 60)
Good to see him on the pitch after not taking full part in Monday’s training session.
Mohamed Salah
(for Oxlade-Chamberlain 60)
Clearly the crowd favourite and looked sharp after signing his new contract. Struck the post with a fine curling effort.
Darwin Nunez (for Clark 60)
No issues with the blisters that halted his training on Monday and was lively, drawing a save from Heaton with a strong drive. Should have scored when belting over rebound from Salah shot. – Sports Reporter/Liverpool Echo
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