Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke makes Liverpool claim ahead of Premier League clash
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It’s easy to forget that Dominic Solanke once played for Liverpool, yet the England international remains one of the best pieces of business the Reds have ever pulled off.
The Anfield side landed the Chelsea academy graduate for nothing in 2017 after Solanke opted to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of his contract, with the striker joining Liverpool as one of the most exciting prospects in all of England.
However, Solanke failed to make much of an impact on Merseyside, with the attacker sold to AFC Bournemouth two years later for an incredible £19m despite making just 27 appearances in all competitions for the Reds, scoring just once.
Now at Tottenham, Solanke has shared what he thought about playing for Liverpool ahead of facing his former side later today.
Solanke admits he was ‘too young’ to join Liverpool when he did
Speaking to the Press Association, the 27-year-old admitted that he joined Liverpool too soon in his career, with Solanke yet to even play Premier League football before making the move to Anfield in 2017.
Although Jurgen Klopp was a big fan of Solanke’s potential, it’s clear that the forward might have benefitted from joining another club ahead of Liverpool when he departed Chelsea, though the striker has since done well toe establish himself as one of the best forwards in the Premier League.
Solanke said when asked about his time at Liverpool ahead of today’s tie: "I was still very young and it might have been a bit too young for me going there, but I learned a lot and I was thankful for my time there. Every game you want to win and do well.
“Obviously when it's an old club, it always means a little bit more because you see familiar faces and want to get the better of them. It will be another tough game but we'll take that challenge."
How has Solanke developed since leaving Liverpool?
Solanke’s time at Liverpool was not as successful as many expected it to be, yet it’s hard to argue that the striker hasn’t gone on to big things since leaving Anfield in 2019 after two disappointing seasons.
| Dominic Solanke’s stats (all competitions) | Games played | Goals | Assists |
| Tottenham – 2024/25 | 22 | 9 | 4 |
| AFC Bournemouth – 2023/24 | 42 | 21 | 4 |
| AFC Bournemouth – 2022/23 | 35 | 7 | 7 |
| AFC Bournemouth – 2021/22 | 48 | 30 | 7 |
| AFC Bournemouth – 2020/21 | 45 | 15 | 9 |
| AFC Bournemouth – 2019/20 | 36 | 4 | 3 |
| AFC Bournemouth – 2018/19 | 10 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 238 | 86 | 35 |
The England international was key to Bournemouth returning to the Premier League in 2022 with an incredible 30-goal haul, with the forward’s form in the English top-flight maintaining a good enough level for Tottenham to fork out a club-record fee for Solanke.
Indeed, Solanke’s career has flourished with each passing season, and Liverpool will be aware of the threat their former striker possesses ahead of today’s huge Premier League tie, where the forward will be keen to make an impact.
