Liverpool’s recent defeat to Everton left many fans puzzled as to why Jayden Danns, one of their most promising young players, was left unused during the match. Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s manager, shed some light on this decision during a post-match press conference.
Klopp explained that he chose not to bring Danns on because of the physical nature of the game. He also pointed out that Danns had already played 75 minutes in a Liverpool U21s match just two nights prior to the Everton game. Klopp emphasized that he did not want to risk Danns in such a demanding match.
The manager further elaborated on the circumstances surrounding his decision. He mentioned that the team had only learned about Diogo Jota’s injury two days before the game against Everton, and Cody Gakpo had to leave the squad suddenly to support his partner during labor. These unexpected developments forced Klopp to make a late reshuffle of his squad, with Danns and Bobby Clark being brought onto the bench despite having played just two days earlier.
Klopp’s explanation, however, raises some questions. While he argued that Danns would have struggled against Tarkowski and Branthwaite, it is worth noting that both Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez had poor performances during the match. Given their lackluster showing, one wonders if Danns could have made any difference and provided a spark for Liverpool when they desperately needed a comeback.
Ultimately, Klopp’s decision not to utilize Danns remains a topic of debate among supporters. It is understandable that the manager wanted to protect a young player who had recently played a full match. However, considering the underwhelming performances of other attacking players, some fans may feel that Danns should have been given a chance to showcase his abilities and potentially turn the tide of the game.
In hindsight, it is easy to question decisions made in the heat of the moment. Whether Danns could have made a significant impact or not will forever remain unknown. Nevertheless, this situation highlights the difficult choices managers like Klopp must make when balancing player fitness, risk management, and the need for a potential game-changer.