Liverpool’s youth production is on fire at the moment.
From Trey Nyoni to Tyler Morton to Rio Ngumoha, multiple academy products are making waves in their respective youth teams whilst breaking into the first team.
One particular feature of this week has been the return of Jayden Danns to training, as well as his extended deal with Adidas until 2029.
Having been out since April with a stress fracture in his back, seeing Danns back on the training pitch was an incredibly welcome sight.
The injury in question had scuppered a potential loan move to Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle. Given the good that Championship loan moves have given to Ben Doak, Lewis Koumas and Owen Beck this season, that development has been a real shame.
Yet all is not lost. As pictured on Liverpool’s official Twitter account, Danns has continued to train with the first-team all week, even when all players have returned from international duty.
A fun video shows Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch in disbelief that Danns is training in just a t-shirt and shorts despite the freezing temperatures being seen on Merseyside right now. Danns defended his decision, saying “I get too hot in jumpers!”.
What is Slot’s plan for Jayden Danns?
Further reports have suggested that Arne Slot doesn’t just want to ship Danns immediately out on loan. Instead, he might be interested in seeing what Danns can contribute in terms of first-team minutes to see if he can be depended on as Liverpool look at a hectic schedule in all competitions for the rest of the season.
Danns has earnt that all by himself. Former manager Jurgen Klopp trusted Danns with significant first-team minutes last season and he returned that favour with two goals in five games in all competitions.
As a result, it’s very interesting that Danns has stuck around the first-team this week. Liverpool are set to go into the weekend’s game with Southampton with as many as five first-teamers out with injury.
Could it be the case that head coach Slot is thinking about giving Danns a squad appearance with a view to integration back into the first-team?
It’s well-established that the number 9 position hasn’t been fully nailed down for Arne Slot yet. Diogo Jota is the first choice in that position but is out injured. Darwin Nuñez is getting better with every appearance but rumours of Omar Marmoush‘s arrival bring his future into doubt.
As a result, Danns has a chance to prove his worth in the position.
If so, we would be big fans of the decision. Danns is an incredible talent that Roy Keane previously called ‘amazing’. More of him could never be a bad thing.
