-Credit:Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler asserted that misfiring Reds forward Darwin Nunez can “learn something” from youngster Jayden Danns after the pair featured in a win over Accrington Stanley.
The Merseysiders secured their passage to the fourth round of the FA Cup after a 4-0 victory over the League Two outfit at Anfield. Arne Slot’s side responded well to the defeat against Tottenham in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final in midweek with a comprehensive showing in front of a home crowd.
Diogo Jota opened the scoring for the Reds, before Trent Alexander-Arnold, Danns and Federico Chiesa got themselves on the scoresheet in an impressive rout. Now, Kop hero Fowler has given his verdict on the performance of academy graduate Danns, who notched his third goal for his boyhood club in the clash.
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The 18-year-old made a major impression during Jurgen Klopp’s final campaign at Anfield, scoring twice in five appearances for the first team in 2023-24. The homegrown striker’s previous two strikes for the Reds came against Southampton in the fifth round of last season’s FA Cup.
The England youth international was introduced from the bench versus Accrington and quickly served Slot with a reminder of what he can do with a goal in the 76th minute of proceedings. Danns won the ball on the halfway line, before laying it off for Chiesa who saw his effort denied by the opposition goalkeeper.
Presenting the Liverpool-born ace with the chance to score tap-in, he did not disappoint as he dispatched the ball home at the Kop end. Speaking on ITV, former Reds forward Fowler praised the prospect after his impressive 18-minute cameo, saying: “As a young kid, his attitude is excellent and I think he has got a little bit of everything. He wins the ball and plays the ball to Chiesa.”
Liverpool’s Jayden Danns scored his team’s third goal in the FA Cup third round match against Accrington Stanley at Anfield -Credit:Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
The retired striker, who is seventh in his former club’s all-time goalscoring standings, then issued some advice to under-fire Liverpool forward Nunez. Pointing out where the Uruguayan could improve, he continued: “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.”
Reflecting on his performance in the victory over Accrington, young Danns could not hide his delight after scoring his third goal for the team he supported as a boy. He said: “I was delighted to get my goal. I am not sure what it is [scoring at the Kop in the FA Cup] but I was buzzing to score.
“I have been out for quite a while, five months, and first team football is different to anything else in terms of intensity. I just wanted to work as hard as I could to try and take any opportunities.”
The talented attacker added: “I made an impact last season and there is still a lot more to do. The manager has put faith in me today. I am thankful to him for that opportunity and hopefully I can do even more, if I get more opportunities.”