'Outrageous' Liverpool youngster could soon claim first team place after scoring for England - opinion
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Liverpool’s forward options have seen plenty of change over the summer, with some supporters left wondering whether the Reds have enough to compete on all fronts.
Last term, Arne Slot could call upon six first team players to fill three roles in his attack.
This year, that number stands at five, not including wonderkid Rio Ngumoha, who may ultimately be Liverpool‘s sixth pick.
But while supporters were keen to get another attacking player through the door at Anfield, the choices Slot does have are perhaps more a case of quality over quantity.
It should not be forgotten that the Reds also have some youngsters coming through the Liverpool academy who will have their eye on getting more game time this season.
Perhaps the closest of those to being a genuine senior option for Slot is Jayden Danns.
And after some fitness struggles throughout the past year, Danns underlined his talent with a goal for England U20s on Friday night.
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Danns’ progress has stalled badly over the last year-and-a-half.
Injuries robbed him of the chance to earn promotion with Sunderland last season and restricted him to just two Liverpool appearances.
Liverpool decided not to send Danns on loan this term, instead keeping him on Merseyside to manage his return to action.
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That appears to be going well so far, with the 19-year-old already finding the net for the U21s, and scoring for the England youth team on Friday.
The Young Lions unfortunately could not beat Italy, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat.
But it was a good night personally for Danns, who took another big step towards availability this season.
The youngster has already shown that he can make an impact in the senior Liverpool team if given the chance.
And with Slot perhaps slightly light on forward options, he may well have half an eye on integrating Danns again at some point during the season.
Time can move quickly for a young player once injury problems begin taking hold.
A 17-year-old is soon 20 without any games under their belt and that can be the difference between making it at a club and falling by the wayside.
Danns was described as ‘outrageous‘ during his time as a very young player in the Liverpool U21s, and at one point he looked destined to become a regular with the first team squad.
Injuries may have disrupted that, but it looks like a good choice for Liverpool to keep him around this season and if he can stay fit then the opportunities may arise.
Danns is clearly rated within the England set-up as well, and there is good reason for that.
If the Liverpool coaching staff can keep him fit and firing, then we would not be surprised to see Danns back where he belongs with the first team before Christmas.