Arsenal legend Ian Wright was left amazed by Liverpool’s young substitute Jayden Danns in the thrilling Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea. Liverpool was down to its last few players after Ryan Gravenberch had to be carried off. With 11 more players already out, Jürgen Klopp had no choice but to rely on his young team in the Wembley match.
Danns came on in the 87th minute for only his second senior career appearance. The 18-year-old striker, who is known for scoring lots of goals at youth level, showed he wasn’t scared at all.
The son of current Tranmere Rovers assistant manager Neil jumped straight into the game and was only stopped from scoring his first goal for Liverpool by two great saves from Chelsea goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović. And Wright, one of the best goal-scorers in Premier League history, really liked what he saw in the young Liverpool player
“You look at the young players that came on, even Danns, I’ve not seen too much of him. Heard his name before,” said the Arsenal star on his Wrighty’s House podcast.
“But he came on in that final like an experienced pro the way he played, the way he held the ball, he didn’t look like he was in awe of anything. He was just in and ready to go.
“And that is something to do with the aura of Liverpool and what they expect from a player that can come on and, ‘this is fine, this is what we’re about’. I envy them for that.”
Danns made his professional debut against Luton Town just days before the final. He almost marked it with an assist as well, with his pass to Cody Gakpo eventually leading to Harvey
Expressing appreciation, Klopp said about Danns after the win over Chelsea: “Jayden Danns only recently joined us in first-team training and I loved him from first second, really special. He comes on today and could have scored two goals in a Carabao Cup final. It’s absolutely insane.”
Liverpool.com says: Danns looked years above his age as he proved a real handful for Chelsea’s defenders. The icing on the cake would have been if his header in extra time found the back of the net, but Liverpool has another special player on its hands.