There weren’t many consolations to take from the 5-0 defeat from Paris Saint Germain but there was one in the shape of number 56 Anthony Ralston.
It wasn’t the silkiest display from the 18-year-old but he showed ability and also the passion and character needed to succeed.
He could easily have wilted like a number of his team-mates but despite being handed the most difficult task on the night he gave as good as he got against the world’s most expensive footballer.
Laughing in the face of the most expensive player in the world, by 18-year-old Anthony Ralston… ???? pic.twitter.com/83DCx9PUL7
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) September 12, 2017
Neymar has a well established reputation for play acting and was full of the spoiling tactics again last night that detracts from his game.
Any contact is over exaggerated while in some cases no contact is required to hit the deck, thankfully last night he picked up a yellow card for his antics.
After last night’s display the next couple off months will crucial for Ralston’s development.
Brendan Rodgers decided to put him in ahead of Cristian Gamboa at the start of the season. With selective use the teenager can emerge and develop into the sort of player able to compete meaningfully at the highest level possible.
