Liverpool U21 coach Rob Page recently accepted an interview with the "Liverpool Echo". He said that Liverpool youngster Jaden Dance may not be able to return to the game this year. Dance strained his hamstring while taking a free kick in L...
Liverpool U21 coach Rob Page recently accepted an interview with the "Liverpool Echo". He said that Liverpool youngster Jaden Dance may not be able to return to the game this year.
Dance strained his hamstring while taking a free kick in Liverpool's U21 match against Ipswich U21 last month. Subsequent scans confirmed the seriousness of the injury and the 19-year-old forward is expected to miss a long period of time due to rehabilitation.
Page said: "It may take a few months, this is not a quick fix. It is a setback for him, but Dance has maintained a very positive attitude towards everything in life, especially football. If anyone can overcome this setback, it is without a doubt. It's him. He has the full support of the medical team, myself and the entire staff. He will definitely get through this."
This was another heavy blow to Dans, who was expected to go on loan to Sunderland for the second half of last season, but ultimately failed to do so due to back problems. Dance returned to fitness in the summer and came on as a substitute in the first team's Carabao Cup win over Southampton four days before suffering the injury.
Dance made his debut with the Liverpool first team in February 2024. He has scored 3 goals in 10 appearances and participated in all important events including the League Cup final victory over Chelsea at Wembley Stadium last year.
Talking about the British Championship when Liverpool U21 lost to Crewe, Page said: "We had 70% ball possession and 16 shots, creating enough opportunities to win the game, but this is the reality of football."
" In my opinion, the penalty was very harsh. The referee admitted that the goalkeeper touched the ball, but thought it was a reckless foul, which changed the trend of the game."
"We were too open in defending the second goal, which is where we need to improve. Square. The positives far outweigh the negatives, but the players must understand the importance of winning and feel the pain of losing. "
"We are in this business at any club to develop a winning mentality. We need to be more ruthless and efficient in the final third. "
In addition to Dance, Liverpool U21 also lacks many other key forward options. Summer new aid Will Wright is absent due to injury, and Kieran Morrison and Carol Figueroa are absent due to national team duties. Page added: "A lot of our good players were unavailable. But it gave other guys a chance, Josh Sonny Lambie and Joe Bradshaw to get a chance to move up and develop."
"I thought Amara Nallo did a great job coming off the bench at centre-back and he seemed to be itching to get back out there."
