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Jayden Danns has said he hopes for more first-team opportunities after netting in Liverpool’s FA Cup victory over Accrington Stanley.
The 18-year-old missed the first months of the season due to a back injury and only played his first minutes of the campaign for the Under-21s at the end of November. He has since featured for Arne Slot’s senior team in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton and was given his biggest run out yet under the Dutchman on Saturday when he played the final 18 minutes against Accrington.
And Danns put in an impressive display, which was capped by a late goal when he tapped in after Federico Chiesa’s initial effort was saved. His goal at the Kop means the forward now has scored three times in his two FA Cup appearances.
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Speaking after the game, Danns told ITV Sports that he is desperate for more first-team opportunities. “I’m delighted to get my goal. I don’t know what it is [about the FA Cup], but I’m buzzing to keep scoring,” he said.
“I’ve been out for five months so, coming back, first-team football is a different intensity to when you play any [other] football, so just work as hard as I can and get into the groove of it. Then any opportunities, sniff a goal out.
“There’s not really any frustration from me; I’m young and there’s a lot more to do. Obviously, the manager has put faith in me today, and I’m grateful to him for the opportunity. Hopefully, I can do even more if he gives me more opportunities.”
That hopeful outlook contrasts with Darwin Nunez, who played 90 minutes for the Reds and failed to get his name on the scoresheet despite registering the highest expected goals of any player on the pitch. The former Benfica man missed two big chances in the FA Cup third-round tie and drew criticism from Liverpool great Robbie Fowler.
Nunez failed to score once again for Liverpool -Credit:2025 Liverpool FC
“You’ve got to score goals, you’ve got to perform better, you’ve got to do better in that Liverpool shirt,” he said during ITV’s pre-match coverage. “The more I see him, the more I think he’s not a Liverpool player.”
The Uruguayan has scored four goals from 26 appearances, while Danns has netted once in his two appearances, which could give Slot food for thought.
After the game, Fowler made a direct comparison between the strikers. “As a young kid, his [Danns’] attitude is excellent and I think he has got a little bit of everything. I actually think Nunez can learn something from him and the fact he wants to get into the box and score.
“Sometimes Nunez will get it, play the ball and then sort of hand back. Danns has that appetite and desire to get in the box. He knows something might happen and it does, getting another goal in front of the Kop
Slot also praised Danns’ impact. “What I like most about him – and with most of the academy players – is the mentality they have,” he said. “So, that’s a big compliment for him and definitely also a big compliment to our youth academy because if you are a youngster and you come to the first team sometimes you are used in a way that you might not expect [in training].
“Although it is common in football, you are then playing the other team that has to copy sometimes the team we face over here, so sometimes you are in a different position.”