Harvey Elliott shone during Liverpool's 5-0 defeat by Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night with Jamie Redknapp taken aback by the youngster's ability.
Elliott was one of a number of academy players who took on Villa in the quarter-finals at Villa Park with Liverpool's first-team squad in Doha for the Club World Cup.
The 16-year-old caught the eye, though, and Redknapp was left thoroughly impressed while working as a pundit on Sky Sports.
Redknapp said: 'Harvey Elliott – we were watching him and he’s 16 years of age. From minute one he was trying to get on the ball. He looked the real deal.'
Former Villa player Lee Hendrie also spoke of his admiration of the young attacking midfielder, who is also the youngest player to play in the Premier League.
Hendrie added: 'He drifted into the No 10 position and he’s got the ability. He came in from the right hand side. You notice the youngsters who stand out. He was at the attention of everything going forward.'
Redknapp highlighted Elliott's ability on the ball, in particular how well he passed it.
He said: There were a couple of the things he did but there was one or two passes but I don’t know why, some left footers are gifted with.
'The way they (Liverpool's first team) play with a midfield three, is he a box-to-box like Wijnaldum? Probably not. But it's beggars belief how he played tonight. He didn’t get fatigued by the end of the game.'
liverpoolpower
0
English media always praise their dead players even when he is bad on the pitch
what your kane achievement?
GOUMIN10
0
Still younger than Ansu donkey fati
younger but have a face of kloop
tikcdekt
0
Nice game champ
nacbdiks
0
English media always praise their dead players even when he is bad on the pitch
At least he has won A UEFA super cup
MaireBurns000
0
16 yrs old with a face of 27 yrs old
Still younger than Ansu donkey fati
MohammedRaheem
0
When big brother aren't home collogues will come and beat you like Liverpool team A job at outside team B in home
Bigupliverpool
0
thank you man exactly this guy is over 27
What do you mean
wiacdesyz
0
English media always praise their dead players even when he is bad on the pitch
says a novice football fan who did not even watch the game
wiacdesyz
0
16 yrs old with a face of 27 yrs old
u can tell that he is young
wiacdesyz
1
The future is bright
turbulence
0
Did you even watch the match ya bellend, he's a 16 year old kid who gave a hard time on those senior Villa defenders.
I agree. he was messiesque in his overhead passing. very impressed.
Simacmptz
0
16 yrs old with a face of 27 yrs old
I think TAA is younger than this guy
Simacmptz
0
thank you man exactly this guy is over 27
hidcikrz
1
English media always praise their dead players even when he is bad on the pitch
Did you even watch the match ya bellend, he's a 16 year old kid who gave a hard time on those senior Villa defenders.
hidcikrz
0
16 yrs old with a face of 27 yrs old
Jealous much
GOUMIN10
2
16 yrs old with a face of 27 yrs old
Tharun_Ram
1
Proud of harvey
justice12345
5
English media always praise their dead players even when he is bad on the pitch
Beenoyz
1
Am incredible exceptional player