Liverpool forward ruled out until October as Arne Slot is handed fresh blow ahead of new season - Reports
Liverpool have been handed an injury blow as forward Jayden Danns has suffered a back injury. The academy graduate is expected to be out until October.
The Reds have had an excellent start to life under Arne Slot in the pre-season. They won all three of their pre-season friendlies on their US tour. They beat Real Betis 1-0, Arsenal 2-1, and Manchester United 3-0. However, they have been dealt an injury blow ahead of the start of the new season.
As per journalist David Lynch (via Rousing the Kop), youngster Jayden Danns has suffered a back injury. He is expected to be out for two months. This puts a spanner in Liverpool's plans to loan the 18-year-old out this summer. Plymouth Argyle were interested in signing him but it's unclear if they will move for him now.
Danns has come through Liverpool's academy and made five senior appearances for them across competitions, scoring two goals. All five of his appearances came last season amidst the Reds' injury issues. He scored twice in their 3-0 FA Cup fifth-round win over Southampton.
Liverpool's Curtis Jones reflects on his goal against Manchester United and their US tour
Curtis Jones Liverpool's second goal in their 3-0 win over Manchester United in a pre-season friendly on August 3. After the game, the English midfielder reflected on his goal, saying (via Liverpoolfc.com):
“I’ve always said I want to be a lad who scores goals and assists and helps the team. I just took it on myself. I thought in the first 20 minutes they were coming to press us a lot so I was trying to get on the ball more.
“But as the game went on more and they tired a bit, I saw the gaps appearing more so I thought if I can get into the box more I can nick myself a goal, and that’s what I did.”
The 23-year-old midfielder was subbed off in the 60th minute after suffering a knock on his back. About his substitution and his fitness, he said:
“I try to improve all the time. I feel I’m in a good place. I’ve had a little bit of an ankle and a knee issue and that is why I came off early in the Real Betis game.
“But in terms of [fitness] I could have played the whole game then yes, but I got a whack on my back and the head coach just said to me, ‘We’ve took you off more as a precaution and we don’t need to risk anything.’ If you are saying, ‘Am I fit?’ [then] 100 per cent I am ready for the start of the season.”
Jones, who came through Liverpool's academy, has scored 16 goals and provided 14 assists in 133 games for them so far.