There is an exciting youngster at Liverpool who could have a big role to play against Atalanta in the Europa League tonight.
Tonight will either go down as one of the greatest European nights in Liverpool’s history under Jurgen Klopp or yet another disappointing result in what has been a horrendous month so far.
Going up against Atalanta is not going to be an easy task. In fact, it’s pretty much going to be a nigh on impossible task for Liverpool.
Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have only ever turned over a deficit by more than two goals in a European knock-out game after the first leg once.
That one time was against Barcelona, and Liverpool will need a similar kind of performance tonight if they are to stand any chance of a remarkable comeback against Atalanta.
Why tonight could be Jayden Danns’ moment to shine
What Liverpool are missing for the game against Atalanta tonight that they had against Barcelona was a pure finisher.
In that game against Barcelona five years ago, Divock Origi took the spotlight with two brilliant and instinctive finishes.
Right now, in the Liverpool team, there isn’t anyone of Origi’s ilk in the club’s first team options. However, there is someone who has shades of Origi about him in the travelling squad from the club’s academy.
Jayden Danns hasn’t played a lot of minutes in Liverpool’s first team, but when he has played he proven to be quite prolific. He scored twice against Southampton in a brief cameo, and got five of his six shots on target in his Liverpool career so far as per FBref.
In Liverpool’s academy, Danns has proven to be very prolific this season, and showed off a brilliant finish against Manchester United’s U21 side last week.
Given Liverpool need goals tonight, it would not be a surprise to see Danns involved at some point, and if he is he could end-up playing a big role. Every time he has come on for Liverpool so far he has been a lively threat.
Why Jayden Danns is among a ‘special’ group of Liverpool youngsters
The 18-year-old has been described among a group of players by Jurgen Klopp as ‘special’ and it’s easy to see why.
Danns alongside the likes of Bobby Clark, Lewis Koumas, Trey Nyoni and James McConnell have made really good progress in the first team this season.
They have shown the club has a really exciting future even post the Jurgen Klopp era. Danns looks like he could spearhead that Liverpool revolution alongside Clark. The two youngsters have a huge future ahead of them.