What next for Jayden Danns?
The Scouser in our team
Attending school in Prescot, Jayden Danns would have spent many an afternoon daydreaming of scoring in Liverpool red in front of his beloved Kop, potentially even capping that off with an emphatic knee slide. At 19, he’s fulfilled that wish three times already—on only one occasion did he slide onto the floor in celebration, though!
After all, we’re talking about the teenager who has bagged more goals than any other Liverpool player over the last two seasons in the FA Cup. “It’s like I’m in a film,” he emotionally replied to ITV reporters, in the aftermath of running riot against Southampton last February.
Aged 19 years and 13 days, Jayden also became the youngest player ever to make his first start for the Reds in a Champions League or European Cup game when he started against PSV Eindhoven in the League Phase.
Fast-tracking isn’t a new phenomenon for Danns. When Jurgen, who was well into his LFC farewell tour by that point, called, the son of Neil had to be ready. Spoiler: he was.
Danns’s splendid academy work had ultimately became unignorable by the turn of the year, into 2024. Averaging a goal every 71 minutes under coach Barry Lewtas, the Englishman served as the Reds’ top scorer at youth level and was evidently ready to be tested with the seniors. His brace and assist against Arsenal, in a 7-1 FA Youth Cup thrashing in the January, made many stand up and take notice; the truth was, however, Jayden had been showing his class week in, week out.
By all accounts, the then-18-year-old was a young lad who Klopp warmed to from the get-go. Danns was hailed as a ‘really special’ talent early on by the German, and our previous boss made a point of reaffirming Jayden’s great attitude. “Dannsy said 50 times, ‘Thank you, boss’” revealed Jurgen after his debut in the 4-1 win over Luton. “I’m so happy that I could give him that opportunity.”