Liverpool starlet Harvey Elliott hailed Reds supporters after the “great experience” of playing for the club’s youngest ever side, although admitted that Tuesday night's 5-0 defeat to Aston Villa did hurt.
Elliott was hailed as “the real deal” after a sparkling display in the Carabao Cup quarter-final at Villa Park.
The 16-year-old, who joined the Reds from Fulham in the summer, was the standout player in a shadow side which took the place of Liverpool ’s seniors, who are in Qatar for the Club World Cup and will face Mexican side Monterrey in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
Elliott was bright throughout the contest, particularly so at the start as Liverpool's youngsters took the game to their far more experienced hosts.
However that experience soon took over, and despite having fewer shots on goal Villa raced into a 4-0 half-time lead thanks to a strike from Conor Hourihane, a Morgan Boyes own goal and a brace from Jonathan Kodjia.
Brazilian forward Wesley came off the bench to add a fifth in stoppage time, but Liverpool's kids certainly didn't disgrace themselves, with Elliott earning the best reviews of the bunch.
Elliott posted on Instagram after the match, writing: “Another great experience. Not our night. Incredible support from the Reds, safe trip home #YNWA.”
The teenager also updated his Instagram story, adding: “Unfortunate result today but I’m proud of every single person, player, coaches and of course the fans for giving us unconditional support.
“It hurts that we lost but our heads are held high.”
The teenager is now expected to fly out to Qatar to be part of Jurgen Klopp's senior squad for the Club World Cup, along with Dutch defenders Ki-Jana Hoever and Sepp van den Berg.
