Teenage Liverpool striker Josh Sonni-Lambie is relishing the prospect of making his senior debut on the club's tour of the US, revealing his reaction to finding out he was making the trip.
Sonni-Lambie called up by Iraola
The Reds play their first of three matches Stateside on Saturday when they take on Premier League rivals Sunderland at Geodis Park in Nashville. Sonni-Lambie could be involved after being one of a number of academy players called up by new head coach Andoni Iraola for the journey.
The 18-year-old is fresh off an excellent season for Liverpool's Under-18s, for whom he scored 21 goals across all competitions. That form led to his debut for the Under-21s, and with friendlies against Wrexham and Leeds United to come in America, there is every chance he will make his first-team bow over the next fortnight.
'Amazing' opportunity
“It’d just be amazing just to play for this club,” Sonni-Lambie said. “It will be amazing for me and my family. So, if I get minutes, I’ve just got to take it. And I can’t wait.”
His family were the first people he told after finding out he was part of Liverpool's initial 31-man travelling party, which is minus the international stars who represented their countries at the World Cup. “Last week, a group of us were training with the first team for a couple days, and then I found out Saturday evening, we just got a message, I got told I was coming to America,” he said. “So, first thing I just called my mum and then told my dad when I got home. I was just so happy. It’s just amazing.”
Impressing the new boss
Sonni-Lambie was nominated for the U18s Premier League Player of the Season award last time out and is determined to take his goalscoring form into the new campaign. But for now his sole focus is on enjoying the experience of being away with the senior side and the chance to impress Iraola, who is putting the squad through double sessions this week.
“It’s tough and especially with the heat as well, it’s very hot out here. You’ve just got to get used to it,” said Sonni-Lambie. “We’re here for two weeks so by tomorrow or the next day I should get used to it, and the time difference as well. It’s basically my first time showing myself in front of a manager properly, so I’ve just got to give it my all and hopefully impress them.”
