'Lightning': Jayden Danns blown away by what one Liverpool youngster did vs Accrington Stanley today
Today at 11:30 AM
It was a happy outing in the FA Cup for Liverpool as they swept Accrington Stanley aside 4-0 at Anfield.
Arne Slot made wholesale changes to his squad and opted to rest a handful of big hitters like Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Alexis Mac Allister, among others.
However, the third-round FA Cup tie was an opportunity for players on the fringes of the squad to make an impact and that was exactly the case with Jayden Danns and Rio Ngumoha, who made his debut for the club.
And Danns has delivered his verdict on the youngster’s performance as he became the Reds’ youngest FA Cup debutant in history.
Jayden Danns heaps praise on Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha
Ngumoha was on the bench for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup quarterfinal against Southampton but didn’t manage to come on as he watched on from the bench.
However, against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup, Slot surprised everyone by handing him a start as he became the first academy player to debut under the Dutchman.
And it didn’t take Ngumoha too much time to make an impact as he saw a lot of the ball in the first half and was arguably Liverpool’s best player in the opening exchanges.
When asked about the 16-year-old’s debut, Danns – who scored as a substitute – lavished praise on what he saw from his teammate at Anfield.
“As soon as he came on he was lightning and I am so proud of him,” said Danns to ITV Football.
The Liverpool striker also said he was happy with his own performance as he came on in the second half and scored a deserved goal.
Danns continued: “Delighted to get my goal. Buzzing to keep scoring. I’ve been out for a while, first team football is different intensity to any football."
Sky is the limit for Ngumoha after lively Liverpool debut
Lucy Ward heaped praise on Ngumoha’s performance for Liverpool as he gave the Accrington defenders a run for their money, particularly in the first half.
His impact wore off as the game went on, but that’s only natural for a 16-year-old getting his first taste of English football.
Ngumoha got a standing ovation at Anfield when he came off the pitch and will look to build on his fantastic debut for the club if he gets a chance to impress between now and the end of the season.
