Dominic Solanke made 21 Premier League appearances for Liverpool last season.

However, the 21-year-old forward is yet to be included in a matchday squad in the opening five fixtures of the 2018/19 season.

Solanke was called up to the England squad by Gareth Southgate in 2017 but appears to be a long way from winning his second cap.

England U21 manager Aidy Boothroyd recently sent a message to Jurgen Klopp about Solanke's lack of playing time.

He urged Klopp to give the England U21 striker "the opportunity" to prove himself at club level.

“I'm really pleased with Dom but I'm also a little bit worried about him because he is not getting the minutes and not getting the games,” Boothroyd said, as per The Telegraph.

“Our players have proved they can do it at international level but not as many of them as there should be are getting the opportunity to do that in the Premier League.

“We have got some fantastic talent but a lot of them haven't had game-time. Young players now are thinking of playing abroad first."

Rio Ferdinand weighs in

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand spoke about young English players who are struggling to break into the first team.

But he disagreed with the FA's message, instead suggesting that Solanke isn't deserving of first team opportunities at Anfield and must first prove himself elsewhere.

"Obviously the players are not good enough (for these teams)," Ferdinand said on BT Sport.

"The young kids like (Phil) Foden, (Ruben) Loftus-Cheek and Solanke who are winning tournaments for England at youth level, if they're good enough they'll be playing.

"It's such a lucrative game for these (club) managers and their jobs are on the edge every single game, and they want players who are going to win instantly. These players obviously aren't being blooded properly.

"Players are sitting on the bench now who are £50m players.

"The pathway for these young players to the first team is so difficult because of the investment that's going on.

"Solanke is sitting (on the bench) at Liverpool, he was sitting at Chelsea.

"He has gone to Liverpool for opportunities and he's not getting that. He has got to get out.

"If I'm a youngster sitting on the bench, or in the stands or not even travelling, I'm banging down the manager's door and asking if I'm playing or not."

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