Arne Slot suggests injured Liverpool forward 'overworked'

Liverpool’s options in attack for the FA Cup tie against Barnsley on Monday were severely restricted owing to injuries.

First-choice duo Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak have been absent of late with Isak suffering a broken leg and Ekitike perhaps showing signs of strain after tough run of games.

Even academy prospect Jayden Danns was unavailable with the 19-year-old enduring an incredibly frustrating season injury-wise.

Danns would have been expected to lead the line against Barnsley with the homegrown striker already featuring once under Arne Slot this season.

That appearance came in the EFL Cup against Southampton - but Danns has been out of the picture owing to injury since late September.

Jayden Danns injured yet again

It’s emerged in recent weeks that Danns could end up either playing for the under-21s for the remainder of the season or else be sent out on loan should he prove his fitness.

In the meantime Arne Slot was left to answer questions about his usage of young players with the lack of minutes afforded to Rio Ngumoha in particular coming under scrutiny.

But Slot made reference to Danns in his answer - suggesting that he must be careful with young players due to a risk of injury.

Danns was even part of the first-team picture under Slot’s predecessor Jurgen Klopp - with the Dutchman now suggesting that the forward has been overworked too early in his career.

Danns DEFINITELY not available

"One of the players that got a stress fracture because he was young and from what I’ve been told, was a bit overtrained,” he told the press.

“That’s why we are so careful with Rio Ngumoha. He’s two days a week off the pitch [in training], if that’s possible, to not have that same situation with him.

“But Jayden is definitely not available in the short term.”

Danns has a decent record in the first team - 10 games and three goals - but might not get the chance to add to those totals this term. Instead the focus will be on recovery in the short term after a frustrating opening to the campaign.

He did not have the best time of it last season either with Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes opting to send him out on loan to promotion-chasing Sunderland.

That stress fracture to which Slot is referring meant he played no part in the Black Cats’ promotion push and was instead sent back to Liverpool for treatment.

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