Another night to remember for the Liverpool youngsters, this time in the FA Cup and progression to the next round after a 3-0 win over Southampton on Wednesday night at Anfield.
On paper, it may have seemed like a straightforward win for Jurgen Klopp’s side, but it was far from it because the Championship team should have scored a few in the first half.
But that lack of ruthless edge resulted in Liverpool’s rising star Jayden Danns punishing their opponents, not once, but twice from the bench.
That saw two legendary figures Roy Keane and Ian Wright speak highly of the Liverpool forward and how he scored his goals, as they told ITV Sport.
The former Manchester United captain was impressed with how ‘easy’ the 18-year-old made his second goal look and how he was alert to react to the rebound.
Whilst Ian Wright felt that Jayden Danns has dealt with the pressure that comes with being in Liverpool’s academy, getting on the big stage and showcasing his worth.
This is a moment the youngster will remember for a long time, as he is now up and running in a Liverpool shirt.
Jayden Danns’ goals for Liverpool in the FA Cup
“We spoke before the game about young players getting opportunities at big clubs, it’s never easy,” said Keane. “But when you do get it, you have to take it and he has done that tonight. Excellent goals
“That’s the difference, the quality, that pass and decision-making. That’s why these young players are at Liverpool. I was probably more impressed with that goal (Danns’ second) than maybe his first goal because it’s just that reaction. The shot comes in and he is on the move. The defenders are on their heels. Instinct. He made it look easy.”
Wright’s verdict on Danns: “Talking about trying to get through this academy at Liverpool and the pressure that comes with that, he has done it. He scored a lot of goals at youth level and now he has come into the first team and scored two really good goals. You can’t help but feel very good for him.
On his first goal: “He makes a very good move towards Bednarek, the first movement is towards the defender, then with this one he comes inside, so he uses that defender to keep himself onside and he comes in. The pass from Elliott is really good timing. He hasn’t even looked at the keeper, he knows where it is and what kind of finish he needs to do. We are talking about somebody who scores a lot of goals because he doesn’t even look at the keeper with the positioning he is in because he dinks him beautifully.
On the second goal: “It was a decent strike – look where he (Danns) is. Already on the move. Just moving towards it. That’s brilliant that is. People underestimate that it’s a top-in. You get a few goals like that every season if you just are following in.”
More chances to come for Liverpool’s youngsters?
It will be interesting to see how Klopp uses his young guns now that the big games of the season are around the corner.
It’s a small matter of facing Manchester United in the FA Cup next, but of course, the Reds also have a Premier League title to win.
They are leading the charge at the top and also have Europa League knockout matches to deal with.
Given the injuries this Liverpool team have suffered, how the youngsters have reacted and the number of matches coming up, then you would think fans will get to see more of Danns.
One thing is for sure, he is going to be a useful weapon from the bench because he looks very lively in the final third.
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