Wilson: Leicester display our benchmark for the season
The sight of Jürgen Klopp applauding loudly from the Prenton Park directors box told its own story. Liverpool's U23 side had produced a fantastic opening 45 minutes that saw them lead Leicester City 4-0 at the break.
Although the second half would produce no further goals, Michael Beale’s charges did hit the woodwork twice as the young Foxes were put to the sword.
One man who was on the top of his game that day was captain Harry Wilson, who grabbed a goal and an assist.
Indeed, the Wales international has had a superb start to the season since Beale named him skipper of the U23 side.
The young Reds return to action against Tottenham Hotspur at Stevenage tonight, hoping to make it three wins in a row.
And Wilson insists the display against Leicester must be the standard for the meeting with Spurs and the rest of the season.
“The first half against Leicester City was a brilliant team performance,” Wilson told Liverpoolfc.com.
“The way we moved the ball, our combination play and the chances we created, the chances we took – it was just a joy to play in.
“We didn’t start the season as well as any of us wanted to and we had a couple of disappointing results, losing to Southampton and Chelsea.
“We analysed those games, saw where we went wrong and took that into the Arsenal away game and then Leicester, when we got two positive results.
“The Leicester first half was a very high level performance and we want to follow on from that now against Tottenham.
“The squad is quite young this year but in the last couple of games I think we have showed that we have the quality to do well in this league.”
LFCTV GO: The best of the U23s against Leicester
The display against the young Foxes was made even more special because it was in front of the watching Klopp and his coaching staff.
Wilson knows it is imperative that every player performs to his maximum level each time they put on the red shirt.
“It’s massive when the manager comes down to watch you,” he added.
“It’s a massive opportunity for all of us to play well and try to impress him. The manager has shown in the past that he is willing to give the young lads a chance so it’s up to us to do well.
“It’s everyone’s goal to get into the first-team squad. We’ve seen the likes of Kevin Stewart and Ovie Ejaria who have done well when they got their chance and it gives you a lot of hope, because if you can do well then we have every chance.”
The 19-year-old is especially determined to make the most of 2016-17 after a frustrating campaign spent on the sidelines after breaking his toe and suffering from a foot injury last term.
He added: “It was a nightmare last season for me.
“Before that I had been quite lucky not to have been out for a long period with injury so it was difficult for me, dealing with being injured and not being able to play.
“I just tried to stay mentally strong and now I’m back fit I am just hoping to put the injury problems behind me.”