The Blues midfielder struck in the 2-0 win over the Reds and was impressed with the performance of his 18-year-old team-mate in the evening.
Ross Barkley has expressed his pleasure at finally scoring against Liverpool, together with the Chelsea midfielder also likening Billy Gilmour into Jorginho following the child’s impressive showing at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.
The Blues reached the FA Cup quarter-finals at the cost of Jurgen Klopp’s side thanks to goals from Willian and Barkley – the latter running 40 yards from within his own half before hammering past Adrian to make it 2-0.
Along with the prior Everton man enjoyed his first goal against the Reds while insisting that he’s now put all his prior injury woes behind him.
Barkley said: “I had not scored against Liverpool so it was special for me, I’d just done it at the youth teams so I was grateful. It was just a chance to drive at target and make something happen that I like to perform.
“I dropped my shoulder, Gomez shifted a little and I’d seen the goalkeeper was blinded a bit, and so I took my opportunity and fortunately it went in. Everybody knows Liverpool’s strengths, every place they’re strong.
“They are a top side with a top manager and they all work for each other like a proper team. You can see the pitch off they’re a really close-knit group. You can see the results, they just got beat [for the first time] in the weekend, they’ve been so consistent all season, which is what we want but this year they do well.
“Everyone else will improve. We had that last night after two unsatisfactory results. It was an enormous positive maintaining a clean sheet also, we have surrendered some sloppy goals recently so to keep a clean sheet will be great for confidence.
“I’m feeling great, always positive. I fought with my foot for a while and because I have been free of pain I have been working hard, training well and doing what I can in matches, trying to have a little bit of rhythm game following game, and I am beginning to feel good. I’m ready to finish the season really well.”
Barkley’s 18-year-old team-mate Gilmour earned headlines for his screen along with the England midfielder wasn’t surprised to find that the Scot performing so well despite his lack of experience.
“It does not surprise me,” he added. “I see him in training daily. He does not have a day when he’s struggling. For a young lad, he’s really mature with his ability on the ball, he makes the right choice the majority of the time.
“He is comparable to Jorginho. He’s an excellent player and a fantastic addition to the squad. He moved to the first-team changing room together and he’s settled in very well and long may it last.
“He’s constantly asking questions as well that is an indication of a player that wants to improve and do well for the club. I like the manager and coaching staff love him too.”
This year has been one of ups and downs for Barkley who had over two months with no matches between October and January before forcing himself back into his supervisor’s thoughts.
Barkley knows he wants to play well for Chelsea in the last weeks of the season to keep at Gareth Southgate’s England plans for Euro 2020 after being called upon the past few occasions.
He added: “It’s more about how you finish the season. I had a couple of injuries and have done well for England of late but for me, it’s more about the focus on doing well here with Chelsea and then England will look after itself.”
