VIMAL Yoganathan was delighted to score his first senior goals while playing up front for the first time since doing so for Prestatyn Town juniors a decade ago.
The 18-year-old has been a midfielder since signing for Liverpool’s academy aged eight then moving to the Reds two years ago. But the Wales under 19 player was selected up front, due to a lack of first team strikers, in the EFL Trophy game with Manchester United under 21s on Tuesday and put the hosts 2-0 up.
Yoganathan told the Chronicle: “A week ago I would never have expected to have played up front and scored two. But the chances came and I am happy I put them away.
“I only played up front in Sunday League as a little kid, not in an academy game, so it was a shock.
“As a young lad trying to break through it’s good to have that versatility and know the gaffer is willing to trust me. I am happy to start games wherever I play.”
Vimal played up front with Kyran Lofthouse, usually a wing-back, who set up both his goals.
“We were joking before the game because we didn’t expect to play there. He put two brilliant balls on a plate for me. It was a top night for both of us.”
Yoganathan has now made seven appearances for the Reds across the trophy, EFL Cup and FA Cup this season and last season. But he is yet to make his league debut, having been an unused substitute at Shrewsbury earlier this year. He said: “Making my league debut has been on my mind since the start of last season. It’s a goal I am trying to achieve. But I just have to keep going and see what happens, then take the opportunity when it comes.”
Barnsley were 2-0 ahead on 82 minutes but conceded three times in the next five and lost 3-2.
Yoganathan said: “It’s bittersweet because I got my first two professional goals but, as a team, we conceded three late goals in such a short time which killed the mood. We will all learn from it especially the lads who came on.
“We were obviously inexperienced at the end, especially further up the pitch, and maybe we didn’t know how to manage the game when it got tough.”
Yoganathan also played a week previously in the EFL Cup at Wigan, impressing in attack but being booked and conceding a penalty which led to him being taken off at the break.
“I felt like I played well and a lot of people thought that. But I made two silly mistakes. I am still young and I have to learn from that.”
