The form of Jordon Ibe on Liverpool's pre-season tour is putting him into the thinking for their opening Premier League encounter with Stoke City, according to boss Brendan Rodgers.
The 19-year-old has excelled with the Reds, who ended their tour of the Far East and Australia with a 1-1 draw against a Malaysian XI on Friday, scoring a stunning goal to ensure their unbeaten record.
That, added to his splendid string of performances - in which he has terrorised defenders time and time again - have convinced the Northern Irishman that he will be in contention for the curtain raising clash at the Britannia Stadium.
Rodgers hails talents of teenage winger
Rodgers, speaking in his post-match conference said Ibe's "outstanding" contributions meant that he had "staked a real claim" to be in the starting line-up on August 9.
The Liverpool manager described Ibe's sumptuous equaliser as a "wonderful goal" and a "wonderful finish" before insisting he has been pleased with the youngster's work rate.
Asked about what he thinks Ibe can bring to the side, Ibe replied that he "has a number of qualities" and that he "will only improve" because of his age.
Rodgers further continued to say that he had been "pleased" with the tour overall, insisting the conditions his side faced in their final game were "very humid" and "difficult."
He added that the players "handled it well" after a "long two weeks" and that he is satisified with where the club are currently at with two more pre-season friendlies to go.
Two more friendlies pencilled in before Stoke clash
Rodgers' charges have two more games to go in their schedule before their trip to Stoke. They'll take on HJK Helsinki and Swindon Town in the first two days of August, with a younger squad anticipated for the latter fixture.
For the trip to Finland, meanwhile, the club's summer signings - Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke will feature for the first time, joining the returning Philippe Coutinho and Emre Can after their involvement in international competitions over the summer.