Liverpool vs Atalanta: 18-year-old striker trains with team after 'outrageous' goal

Liverpool are struggling for goals going into their UEFA Europa League clash vs Atalanta on Thursday. Maybe that’s why an 18-year-old striker trained with the squad.

Liverpool face Atalanta in their UEFA Europa League quarter-final second-leg on Thursday evening. It’s an almost impossible task, of course – the Reds must beat their hosts by at least three goals.

There have been even more difficult tasks, of course, and tasks Liverpool have overcome. This one feels different, though, with a string of disappointing displays leading into it.

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The team just isn’t firing on all cylinders, arguably not even half of them, and that could lead to something of a shake-up on Thursday. Certainly, the option is there as Jurgen Klopp included four youngsters in his final training session before heading out to Italy.

Per James Pearce, Jayden Danns, Bobby Clark, Stefan Bajcetic and James McConnell were all involved. Should Klopp wish to fall back on the youth that served him so well earlier this year, he can.

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Jayden Danns is the most interesting name there, given Liverpool’s struggles to convert chances in recent weeks. The 18-year-old impressed in his spell at the start of the year and does technically boast one of the best conversion rates at the club.

Okay, it’s not exactly the greatest sample size but Danns did score twice against Southampton. It shows he can deliver on limited chances and if Klopp does wish to try something different, the young Scouser is an option.

Danns caught the eye last week, too, with an incredible goal against Manchester United Under 21s. Liverpool called it ‘outrageous’ on TikTok and the descriptor certainly fits.

The teenager showed remarkable composure to score an emphatic backheel in the game. It’s exactly the kind of confidence Liverpool lack up top, in fact – and perhaps a sign that Danns should get an opportunity in Bergamo.

If Liverpool continue to spurn chances, the youngster will surely be a thought in the back of Klopp’s mind.

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