European Leagues

Teenager Jayden Danns stars for Liverpool

Teenager Jayden Danns called it “the best day of my life” after scoring twice off the bench as Liverpool beat Southampton to set up an FA Cup quarter-final tie with Manchester United.

There was also a dream debut for Danns’ fellow 18-year-old Lewis Koumas, who opened the scoring at Anfield when he collected Bobby Clark’s pass and found the bottom corner with a shot that deflected off Saints captain Jack Stephens a minute before the break.

After replacing Koumas in the second half, Danns ran on to Harvey Elliott’s pass to score with a lovely dinked finish in front of the Kop.

He struck again two minutes from time, thumping the ball home after Southampton goalkeeper Joe Lumley had parried Conor Bradley’s shot into his path.

“I couldn’t be happier today. Today is the best day of my life,” Danns told BBC Sport.

“I’ve watched Liverpool since I was a young boy and to score at the Kop End is more than a dream. I couldn’t be happier.”

With injuries to a host of first-team players, Jurgen Klopp named six players aged 21 or younger in his starting XI and, just as in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, the youngsters did not let him down.

Southampton had a host of chances in the first half, but having failed to make them count they were punished by Koumas late in the half.

The visitors had further opportunities to level in the second period but remained profligate in front of goal.

Again they were made to pay, this time by Danns, who was making just his third Liverpool appearance after debuting against Luton last week.

“In the Carabao Cup final I had a couple of opportunities to score, so I came into today thinking ‘bury the next one’,” Danns added.

“I couldn’t describe it [what it feels like to celebrate in front of the Kop]. It is a dream come true. The first thing I thought was to slide on my knees. It was an unbelievable experience.”

While Liverpool remain in contention for a quadruple, and can look forward to a mouth-watering meeting at Old Trafford in the last eight, Russell Martin’s Saints can now give their full attention to trying to earn promotion back to the Premier League.

After their Wembley heroics at the weekend, for much of the first 45 minutes, this looked like a game too far for an injury-hit Liverpool as their younger players struggled to make an impact.

Southampton had also made eight changes from their home loss to Millwall at the weekend but remained committed to their usual approach, cutting through the hosts on a number of occasions with their attractive passing game.

However, the finishing let them down as Sekou Mara was twice denied by Caoimhin Kelleher when well placed, while Kamaldeen Sulemana hit the post.

Liverpool were hanging on but a moment of quality, plus some good fortune, gave them the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Clark found Koumas with an incisive pass and the latter – son of former Wales international Jason – moved across the edge of the box before seeing his shot deflected in.

The goal gave the hosts more confidence and they were much more imposing after the break, although the visitors still had chances. Shea Charles missed the best of them when he scuffed his shot wide after being left completely unmarked at the back post at a corner.

It was then over to Danns, who showed composure beyond his years to lift the ball over Lumley for his first after Will Smallbone had lost possession in his own half.

When he hammered in his second, at 18 years and 43 days, the striker became the youngest Liverpool player to score two or more in a game since Michael Owen scored a hat-trick against Grimsby in November 1997.

“It feels like I’m in a movie,” Danns told ITV. “The second one was just pure joy, it didn’t feel like it could come to me, I was happy with one. I lost all composure.

“My dad cried when I made my debut so I don’t know what he’s going to be doing now.”

Klopp will hope to have a few of his more experienced players back from injury before they travel to face United in a couple of weeks but, if not, his youngsters have risen to every challenge they have faced so far and would surely relish the opportunity to show their class once again.

Related Topics:FA Cup Liverpool Southampton

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Mbappe Hat-Trick Dismantles Man City As Real Madrid Hit Last 16

Real Madrid have booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League after a convincing 3-0 over Manchester City in the second leg of their play-off round tie at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the final aggregate score being 6-2.

A stunning comeback in Manchester last week ensured that Real Madrid only needed to avoid defeat in the second leg in order to be confirmed in the next round. However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side were never going to settle for this, and they extended their aggregate lead inside the opening four minutes in the Spanish capital. A long ball over the top from Raul Asencio went into the path of Kylian Mbappe, who lobbed over the onrushing Ederson and into the back of the net.

Just beyond the half hour mark, Mbappe got his and Real Madrid’s second of the evening. A wonderful team move ended with Rodrygo Goes playing in the French attacker, and he showed great feet to take the ball away from a couple of Man City defenders before blasting in from close range.

That goal put the tie beyond any doubt, but Real Madrid and Mbappe did not stop there. The 26-year-old would finish off for his second hat-trick of the season on 61 minutes after he curled the ball into the far corner to complete a sensational evening for him and his teammates.

However, it was not a perfect match for Ancelotti’s side as they conceded in the final minute after former Barcelona midfielder Nico Gonzalez scored from close range after Omar Marmoush’s free-kick came back off the crossbar.

The result means that Real Madrid are into the next round, and they will face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 stage of the Champions League. The draw for that round is set to take place later this week.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

UCL: PSG Whitewash Brest To Set Up Clash With Liverpool or Barcelona

UCL: PSG Whitewash Brest To Stroll Into Last 16

Paris St-Germain roared into the last 16 of the Champions League with a thumping victory over Brest.

Luis Enrique’s side will now face Liverpool or Barcelona with the draw due to take place on Friday, 21 February at 11:00 GMT, in Nyon Switzerland.

Already leading 3-0 from the first leg of their knockout play-off, the hosts again exhibited their superiority over a fellow French side they have now defeated four times this season – scoring 18 times in the process.

Bradley Barcola extended their advantage with a neat near-post effort and his fellow winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia tapped in PSG’s second of the evening before the break.

Portugal international Joao Neves also hit the crossbar for the hosts, before his compatriot and midfield partner Vitinha curled a low shot into the right corner from 18 yards just before the hour mark.

From there PSG moved through the gears.

Goncalo Ramos teed up fellow substitute Desire Doue for their fourth, the impressive Nuno Mendes slid in Achraf Hakimi’s teasing ball for a fifth, Ramos’ deft finish brought a sixth and teenager Senny Mayulu rounded off the scoring with four minutes left.

It ensured a miserable night in the French capital for Brest, who only threatened sporadically when Mathias Pereira Lage’s placed effort was cleared off the line by PSG captain Marquinhos and Pierre Lees-Melou hit the post with a curling effort.

BBC

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Ademola Lookman Trains Fully Ahead Of Champions League Clash

Atalanta has received a significant boost ahead of their upcoming Champions League clash against Club Brugge, with Nigerian international Ademola Lookman returning to full training on Monday, February 17, per Allnigeriasoccer.

Lookman had been sidelined due to a knee injury sustained just two days before a crucial match against Barcelona.

His recovery and return to group training are expected to enhance Atalanta’s attacking options as they prepare for the upcoming fixture.

Lookman’s return is also a positive development for Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle.

Chelle, who was appointed as the head coach of the Nigeria national football team in January 2025, is keen to have his key players in top form ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The Super Eagles are set to resume their qualifying campaign in March 2025, with matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Lookman’s return to fitness will be closely monitored by Chelle, as the winger’s pace and creativity could be instrumental in Nigeria’s upcoming fixtures.

Atalanta’s coach will however assess Lookman’s fitness to determine his potential involvement in the upcoming Champions League match against Brugge.

Given the importance of the fixture, Lookman’s inclusion could provide a significant advantage, as his attacking prowess has been a key asset for Atalanta this season.

For Atalanta supporters, Lookman’s recovery is great news, and the club’s prospects in the Champions League look much brighter with him back in the fold.

Atalanta is aiming to build on their strong performances this season, and Lookman’s return is crucial as they look to advance further in Europe’s most prestigious club competition.

As the match day draws closer, both Lookman and Atalanta are hopeful that the winger can make an impact once again, and fans are excited to see the Nigerian back on the pitch.

With Lookman fully integrated into the squad once more, Atalanta’s attacking threat is renewed, and they are optimistic about their chances in the Champions League.

Allnigeriasoccer