Arne Slot may yet have use for Jayden Danns at Liverpool after a familiar problem reared its head against Liverpool.
The big-money arrivals of Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak last summer had many wondering if there was a future for Danns at Anfield.
It doesn’t help that the 20-year-old has barely played for this manager.
Change my mind: Liverpool would be CRAZY to let Konate leave 😣
He is back to his best!
Ibrahima Konate battles with Brian Brobbey during Liverpool's Premier League match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light (Credit: Getty Images/Stu Forster).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Stu Forster
Danns will return for Liverpool soon after spending months on the sidelines, and a recurring issue at striker could offer him the chance to finally get a run in the first team.
Jayden Danns offers Liverpool something different to Ekitike and Isak
Liverpool’s two main number nines are on a world-class trajectory, but they are by no means infallible.
Case in point — Ekitike was frustrated against Sunderland because he wasn’t being found by teammates and impacting play in a meaningful way.
And it’s not the first time, either. When faced with stubborn defences whose mission it is to keep the Frenchman out of the game, he can struggle.
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And Isak is a similar profile. They want to drop in, get involved, complete dribbles and show their quality. It’s not like they can’t do the grittier work, but they are a more luxury kind of attacker.
Jayden Danns on the ball during Liverpool's Carabao Cup match against Southampton at Anfield.
Photo by Steven Halliwell/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Danns has shown through the ranks at Liverpool that he is that traditional box menace of a striker. Even with the two fit, he could still be an option to bring on in games like the one on Wednesday night.
Even bringing him on alongside Ekitike or Isak when we need a goal, it would give them freedom to roam while he occupies the centre-backs.
Liverpool need a reliable third striker for one big reason
It’s clear that Slot’s squad isn’t as deep as many of their rivals towards the top of the table.
Eli Kroupi Junior was linked with Liverpool this week, suggesting that they aren’t going to settle for two nines in the rotation.
And they shouldn’t. Isak’s injury record speaks for itself. Ekitike has had his share of issues too.
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He's surely heading past 20
Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring for Liverpool in the Premier League against Newcastle United at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC
Danns could be the perfect squad striker to cover for such eventualities, and allow Slot to keep using the same system even if a striker misses time.
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