FA Cup

[monks data]

FA Cup | Fifth Round

Feb 28, 2024 at 8pm UK

Anfield

Liverpool
3 - 0
Southampton

Koumas (44'), Danns (73', 88')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Manning (79')

Liverpool youngsters accomplish new all-time club feat in Southampton win

By Andrew Delaney, Reporter | 28 February 2024

Liverpool youngsters Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns create history, as two players aged 18 or under score in a senior fixture for the first time in the club's history.

Liverpool's youngsters have set a new club record in the 3-0 win over Southampton in the FA Cup this evening.

Teenagers Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns got the goals as Liverpool swept the Saints aside to reach the quarter-finals, where the Reds will face Manchester United.

In scoring the goals that have sent Liverpool through, Koumas and Danns's exploits mean that two players aged 18 or younger have scored in the same senior game for the first time in the club's long history.

Both players were in the squad for the EFL Cup final against Chelsea at the weekend, earning winners medals as Liverpool came out on top after extra time.

Koumas remained on the bench against Chelsea, but started in attack this evening, opening the scoring for Liverpool late in the first half on his senior debut.

Danns was introduced late in normal time and played all of extra time at the weekend, after also coming on late on against Luton Town in the Premier League last week.

It was he who replaced Koumas shortly after the hour mark at Anfield this evening, and he would go on to add two more goals as Liverpool comfortably booked their place in the quarter-finals.

Liverpool's Jayden Danns celebrates scoring their second goal on February 28, 2024 © Reuters

Two proud fathers will have been watching on, given that the pair are the respective sons of former Premier League players Jason Koumas and Neil Danns.

They are the first goals of both youngster's careers, and the two have stepped up at the perfect time given Liverpool's current injury crisis.

Manager Jurgen Klopp is without his first-choice front three of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, while even more injury concerns cropped up after their cup success at the weekend.

Both Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch left Wembley in protective boots, joining fellow midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and Thiago on the sidelines.

Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip are also among the almost-unprecedented 12-man injury list for Liverpool, who have a relentless fixture list ahead of them.

With Nottingham Forest next at the weekend, two legs against Sparta Prague in the Europa League will follow shortly after, either side of a huge encounter against Manchester City just over the next two weeks.