Liverpool U21s coach Rob Page has given an injury update after Jayden Danns missed the club's EFL Trophy defeat to Doncaster on Tuesday, raising fears of another issue for the striker
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 9: Jayden Danns with Lewis Koumas of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 9, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Jayden Danns missed Liverpool U21s' defeat to Doncaster in the EFL Trophy(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool U21s head coach Rob Page has given an update on Jayden Danns after the striker missed the EFL Trophy game against Doncaster on Tuesday.
Danns has endured an injury-ravaged couple of years after breaking through during Jurgen Klopp’s final season as manager, having impressed with his performances in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup final in 2024.
Since then, he has only made five first-team appearances, while an attempt to send him on loan to Sunderland last year failed after a back injury prevented him from making any appearances for the club. He has managed to make five appearances for the U21s so far this season, although injury fears have been raised again.
The 20-year-old missed Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Doncaster on Tuesday, with Page confirming afterwards that he had decided not to take any risks with Danns - although he did play down worries over another injury problem.
“He pulled out of training last week, he just felt something and wasn’t quite comfortable,” Page told the club’s website.
“We’re not going to take any chances, there’s no need at all. He’s trained. He’s been training but we didn’t think it was a risk we wanted to take.
“He’s fit, he’s training and we thought it was better for him to have two training days than to come and have half an hour, 45 minutes in this game.”
ROCHDALE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Will Wright of Liverpool U21 after the Jersey Mike's Trophy match between Rochdale and Liverpool U21 at Crown Oil Arena on September 22, 2026 in Rochdale, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
Will Wright nearly opened the scoring for Liverpool in spectacular fashion in the EFL Trophy defeat at Doncaster Rovers(Image: Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
With Danns out, Will Wright caught the eye again as he threatened to score another spectacular goal, only to see his long-range effort hit the crossbar.
“That’s the place he’s in at the minute, he’s full of confidence,” Page said. The technique to even consider taking on that opportunity is something.
“It was moments like that, they were the only things we had in the game first half, we didn’t really create that many chances. By changing the shape, defensively as well, in turn gave us that extra body in the middle of the park to match their four.
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“I thought we were much better second half, the much better team in the second half and then we created more chances. But that final decision again in the final third, that final action, let us down a little bit.”
Page added: “That’s the level they want to get to. This is real football. That’s what they’re going to face if they go into league football, week in, week out.
“It’s so beneficial for many reasons but that in particular. Up against the big centre-forward, that’s the physicality they’re going to need to cope with week in, week out, two games a week. So, it’s a great test for them.”