Liverpool have received an encouraging boost on the injury front with one of their forwards taking another important step towards full fitness this afternoon.
With Federico Chiesa’s future and fitness continuing to be a talking point around the squad, attention has also been on the other attacking options available to Andoni Iraola as Liverpool look to finalise their squad ahead of the transfer window closing.
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However, it is Jayden Danns who has been handed a starting role this afternoon, with the forward named in Rob Page’s XI as Liverpool U21s host Leeds United in Premier League 2 at the Kirkby Academy.
Danns has been working his way back from an unfortunate injury setback which interrupted his preparations for the new season.
The 20-year-old suffered the issue during Liverpool’s early pre-season work at the AXA Training Centre after aggravating a previous hamstring problem.
The setback prevented him from joining Iraola’s first-team squad for sessions on Merseyside and ultimately ruled him out of the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.
Danns had been unable to build on his involvement with the first team as a result, but there were positive signs last weekend when he returned to competitive action from the bench.
Now, Page has decided the next step in his rehabilitation should be a start, giving Danns the opportunity to build up his match fitness against Leeds and continue his journey back towards full availability.
The striker leads the line alongside Hall, Mabaya, Chambers, Pitt, Lucky, Upton, O’Connor, Laffey, W. Wright and Figueroa.
Liverpool have Ayman, M. Wright, Cisse, Onanuga, Sonni-Lambie and Bradshaw available among the substitutes.
Kick-off at the Kirkby Academy is scheduled for 1pm BST, with the match being streamed live on All Red Video.
For Danns, the afternoon provides another significant marker in his recovery and a chance to put further minutes into his legs after a frustrating period on the sidelines.
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