Jayden Danns has not been able to feature at all for Liverpool this season due to a back injury, but the young striker has just taken a big step in his recovery.
Danns was one of the breakout stars of Jurgen Klopp‘s final campaign at Anfield, rising up from the U18s squad to score twice in five first-team appearances.
The 18-year-old made the matchday squad on 11 occasions and signed a new long-term contract with the club in May, as a marker of his progress.
There was disappointment, then, that Danns was first unable to play a part in Arne Slot‘s first pre-season before being denied a loan move to Championship side Plymouth Argyle.
After missing the Reds’ warmup schedule it emerged that the youngster had suffered a back injury that has kept him out ever since.
But Thursday saw Danns make his return to the outdoor pitches at the AXA Training Centre, with the striker revealing on Instagram that he was “back running!”
Danns has been undergoing his rehabilitation as part of the U21s squad, rather than the first team, and it is likely that he is eventually reintroduced in Barry Lewtas‘ side.
The U21s have certainly missed a player of his quality already this season, particularly in the EFL Trophy as they lost 5-1 to Crewe Alexandra and drew 1-1 with Harrogate Town.
Lewtas’ young Reds have not been short of goals in their league, scoring 13 times in five games, though they have been shared throughout the squad with Tyler Morton and Ranel Young joint-top scorers with two apiece.
While he is likely to be weeks or even months off returning to action at this stage, Danns’ recovery will be a major boost for Liverpool.
It is possible that he is brought back into first-team training when fit, though Slot is not short of attacking options with Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa all playing up front already this season.
It could be that Danns’ progress is evaluated when the January transfer window opens and a loan move is then agreed to ensure the senior experience he requires.
He is not the only youngster who is edging closer to a return from long-term injury, with midfielder James McConnell also nearing his comeback after an ankle problem.
Fan Comments