Jayden Danns
Photo by Aitor Alcalde - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Liverpool’s promising striker Jayden Danns has endured a torrid start to his loan spell at Sunderland, with a persistent back injury preventing the 19-year-old from making a single appearance since his January move.
The deal, initially hailed as a pivotal step in his development, has instead become a frustrating step in Danns’ high potential journey.
Danns’ troubles began in August 2024 during pre-season training at Liverpool, where a stress fracture in his back sidelined him for four months.
Despite returning briefly in November, the striker suffered a recurrence of the injury during his Sunderland medical in February 2025—a discovery that delayed his move to the Championship club.
Both clubs controversially greenlit the loan anyway, with Danns rehabilitating at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre while remaining officially contracted to Sunderland.
The decision to approve the loan despite a failed medical has baffled analysts. Sunderland’s sporting director Kristjaan Speakman defended the move, calling Danns “an extremely talented player who fits our profile.”
Before his injury, Danns made history as Liverpool’s youngest Champions League starter (18 years, 259 days) against PSV Eindhoven.
Sunderland sit fourth in the Championship, 15 points clear of seventh-placed Norwich, virtually securing a playoff spot12. Wilson Isidor (12 goals) and Eliezer Mayenda have filled the void, with the team outscoring promotion rivals Sheffield United and Burnley.
This resilience has reduced pressure to rush Danns.
However, it seems Liverpool and Sunderland’s gamble that the teenage striker would be able to play an part in the rest of the season has now backfired.
That’s because, now heading into April, manager Regis Le Bris has admitted that he does not have a clue if Danns will be available:
“We are not at this point right now but the season is running so it will be difficult. We don’t know exactly,” he answered when asked if Danns could still feature this term as quoted by the Northern Echo.
Danns faces a race against time to feature in Sunderland’s playoff campaign, which could extend to May 24. However, even if fit, integrating him into high-stakes matches seems improbable.
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