Red-hot teens
Klopp compares Liverpool kids’ impact to darts sensation
JURGEN KLOPP and Liverpool find new ways to make teenage dreams come true. Three days after three rookies played pivotal parts in winning a trophy at Wembley, two newcomers scored the first goals of their careers at a packed Anfield.
For Lewis Koumas, it was a debut strike; for Jayden Danns, one of the novices who embarrassed Chelsea, a brace to cap a remarkable week that brought his maiden firstteam game, a medal and now two finishes in front of the Kop.
Perhaps he ought to retire now: he may never have a week like this again.
And, once again, Liverpool’s academy extended their hopes of sending Klopp off with a quadruple.
In the broader reckoning, Southampton had the chances to take a three-goal lead by halftime. Yet it is Liverpool who advance to an FA Cup quarterfinal with Manchester United, their remarkable season progressing with a couple of heart-warming tales of players whose surnames were familiar, but their faces were not.
Koumas was an unused substitute at Wembley, promoted to start in what was arguably the weakest team Klopp has fielded this season.
The starting 11 contained six players aged 21 or under and their squad numbers added up to 450: the No. 67 broke the deadlock and the No. 76 was brought on to seal victory.
By the end, Trey Nyoni, the 16-year-old wearing No. 98, was on for his own debut. It was quite a night for Klopp’s creche.
The German likened the instant impact of his academy players to that of darts player Luke Littler last month – but then asked for the youngsters to be given time to find their feet.
Referencing Littler, who reached the World Darts Championship final at the age of 16, Klopp asked for perspective despite the youngsters’ key roles in a depleted side.
“It is little bit like the new darts sensation, it is fine for tonight. Tomorrow, leave the boys in the corner,” Klopp said.
“Everyone who is with us, we should have our moments, they will have more moments than we expect.
“All of it was obviously incredibly important. Against a Southampton team we would have had problems with anyway but in our situation we tried to give as much information as possible to them and we had to improve during the game.
“The first 15 minutes we were all over the place; we tried to press but the timing was horrendous and Southampton used that.
“We found a way into the game and the goal we scored was in a nearly perfect moment, it felt like a momentum change and then an exceptional finish from Lewis.
“We now had the momentum rather than Southampton and won a lot of high balls and scored, the play was special, the way we won the balls was special and something like that, as impossible as it seems, can happen.
“Maybe the people (fans) don’t forget it when the transfer window opens, don’t close the door (on young players) with 12 signings.”
On Danns, who came off the bench to score twice in 15 minutes to earn the man-of-thematch award, Klopp added: “Exceptional talent. Of course it is not natural that a boy 18, is as calm as you like. The second goal calm as you like.”
Saints boss Russell Martin was left to rue several missed chances in the opening 30 minutes in particular.
“I don’t think 3-0 is a fair reflection of the game as we should have been one or two up before they got close to a goal,” he said.
“The difference in the game is the quality of the finishing and their goalkeeper making some brilliant saves.
“If we are ever going to lose, then let’s do it being the team we want to be and I can’t ask any more from them tonight.
“I really enjoyed watching my team but I am really hurt for them and the result as I didn’t think we deserved that.” – The Independent