LOOK OUT LIVERPOOL

Two-goal wonderkid plays his way into derby frame

ADEMOLA LOOKMAN fired out a warning to Liverpool with a double strike to stake his claim for a place in the Merseyside derby.

Lookman’s goals were highlights of the night for the Toffees.

It was a shame that boss Sam Allardyce – absent from the trip, due to a medical appointment – had not been in Cyprus to witness the performance.

But first-team coach Craig Shakespeare reassured the team that he was watching the match on TV.

Lookman was in lively form on the left, consistently causing trouble with his pace and trickery.

And he broke a run of 20 goalless appearances since he netted on his debut against Manchester City back in January.

The 20-year-old opened the scoring after 21 minutes with a header from Nikola Vlasic’s cross.

But it was his second goal, seven minutes later, that caught the breath.

Not only was it a brilliant strike from outside the box, it came at the end of a 26-pass move in which every Everton player touched the ball.

Everton’s third goal was also one of quality, finished by Vlasic in the 87th minute.

Afterwards, Shakespeare said: “The whole team did well. To keep a clean sheet and score three, they should take enormous credit from that.

“Lookman is only young and the second goal was a very good one – a real team goal.

“We have told the players to look at this as a starting block. The work ethic was there – and the reward too.

“Sam was watching and I’m sure he will be delighted.

“We played some really good stuff in the first half. With more care, we could have had even more.

“But you have to be delighted to score three away from home.”

It brought Everton their first group stage win, as their Europa League campaign came to an end.

And they finished with the lowest points total ever by an English side.

Their four-point haul was worse than Wigan’s meagre five in 2013.

Shakespeare added: “The meaningless nature of the match threw up some quirks, including 20 changes from both sides’ usual starting line-ups.”

But the kids showed Allardyce their worth – if he fancies giving youth a chance.

WERE YOU WATCHING, SAM? Lookman took the chance to impress his new boss with two goals