ALL DANNS TO THE PUMP
Captain Van Dijk warns Kop kids Jayden & Co to keep working, stay humble and soak it all in... and he’s got an eye on them
VIRGIL VAN DIJK knows Liverpool’s young guns are in the best place to succeed.
But the Liverpool captain has told Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns they still have a hard road ahead, despite their FA Cup heroics.
It was the first time that two 18-year-olds have scored in the same game for the Reds, as they swept past Southampton on Wednesday night.
Jurgen Klopp’s injury-hit squad has had to turn to the academy conveyor belt of talent to get them through to the next round.
Bobby Clark and James Mcconnell – both in their teens – were bright sparks, while Trey Nyoni, 16, made his debut in the second half.
Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah were two of the Reds’ more experienced players, even though they have had only a handful of senior starts.
Some youngsters had helped Liverpool beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, and now Danns and Koumas – the sons of Neil and Jason respectively – have their first senior goals.
“Even learning from being around the first team is massive and you should soak it all in and don’t get carried away,” said
Van Dijk (above). “In my career, I’ve seen players who make their debuts after coming through the ranks and then disappear.
“For these lads, it is about taking it all in and keep working, and I am sure they will as they are at an amazing club to do that.
“Staying humble is also a very important thing but we have a great culture and I’m definitely one of the guys to make sure they keep doing that.”
Academy boss Alex Inglethorpe was not even at Anfield to watch his proteges shine as he was overseeing Under-15 training at the club’s Kirkby training base.
“In my time here, Curtis [ Jones] came through, Trent [Alexander-arnold] was at the beginning, Caoimhin [Kelleher] as well,” added Van Dijk.
“When we need them, they have to be there and don’t feel the pressure. They will have difficult moments and it is about how you deal with it.”
Van Dijk urged the young players to “be patient” slipping back into the Under-21s side in the coming weeks, as first-team stars return to full fitness.
But the young guns played a significant part in what may be a remarkable season for table-topping Liverpool, who now have an FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United to look forward to and a Europa League tie against Sparta Prague.
And they already have one piece of silverware in the trophy cabinet, after winning the Carabao Cup on Sunday.