Roy Keane and Ian Wright have both described Harvey Elliott as "really sharp" following the teenager's first goal for Liverpool after nearly five months out with an ankle injury.
There were fears that Elliott may not have been ready to return until the spring or summer time following his horrific injury against Leeds United back in September, but the 18-year-old made excellent progress in his recovery.
Elliott returned to first-team action off the bench for the Reds in Sunday's FA Cup clash with Cardiff City, and the ex-Fulham starlet found the back of the net for the first time in red to help his side on their way to a 3-1 win.
Keane and Wright both paid tribute to Elliott's showing after the game, with the former telling ITV: "You have doubts, it's stressful. Obviously, you worry whether you can get back to the level you were at.
"He's come back so quickly. Obviously, he's got the best medical care and he mentioned the Liverpool physio - early starts, late finishes. But that's what you need.
"Sometimes you just need that physio and I had it when I did my cruciate at Manchester United with the physio, Dave Fevre. They have to get in your mind as well because it's not just the physical stuff, it's the mental side of it.
"It's great to see him back and to score today will do him the world of good. It's a stressful time for a footballer, people don't realise that, but it's good to see him back. It certainly wasn't an easy finish. It's a great first touch. He looked really, really sharp considering the length of time he's been out."
Wright added: "His touch is fantastic. There are two players and one slips and one stops as they are tired now. Elliott has come on and his touch is very sharp, very crisp. He looked very composed like we know he is.
"The goal is a bonus, but when he came on he looked very sharp, his passes were nice and sharp and crisp into people and it's good to see him back."
Elliott could make his first Premier League appearance since September when Liverpool take on Leicester City on Thursday evening.
Ben Knapton
