Two Liverpool youngsters called into first-team training by Andoni Iraola ahead of Man City clash
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That will bring its own pressure for Andoni Iraola, who has reportedly been preparing for the match by working with a ‘skeleton squad’ at the AXA Training Centre, in which Jayden Danns and James McConnell have been given the chance to impress. Give us your thoughts! 👇 Mohamed Salah Jayden Danns and James McConnell take centre stageAs ever during an international break, Liverpool do not have many senior players who are remaining on Merseyside.
They claim that the Basque decided not to change the training plan from regular weeks and is using a squad made up of the first-team players available, supplemented by some from the U21s and U18s.It is claimed that Iraola wants to keep pushing and implementing his style of play throughout the club, even when the senior players are not around.READ MORE: Florian Wirtz reveals what Jurgen Klopp has told him to do before he returns to Liverpool soonAs a result, not too much is said to have been different at Kirkby, and with Iraola keen to make sure that the development squads match the senior one in terms of style of play, he has reportedly been keen to get the youngsters involved.Although plenty will have been working with him fairly closely, Danns and McConnell are two who are named by The Athletic. The pair are said to have ‘had their chance to impress’ Iraola ahead of the clash against City.Danns has a big chance for game timeMcConnell has already shown why Iraola decided against sending him out on loan this season after starting and playing well against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup.
The 20-year-old has had a torrid time with injuries over the past two years, but he has shown that he has the quality to make an impact on the first-team.Lewis Koumas has moved ahead of him while he recovers from injury, but Danns looks like a bigger prospect than the Welshman, and gives a similar, gut-busting work-rate while also providing a lethal edge in front of goal.Alexander Isak’s recall from duty with Sweden was a reminder of just how thin Liverpool’s options are at the top end of the pitch, but if Danns can get himself back fit, he can remedy that to some degree.The problem will be keeping him fit, but Iraola has already shown that he will give chances to those who do well and apply themselves in training. If anything at all comes out of this three-week break, it could be that Danns finally has the space and time to propel himself back into contention.