Jayden Dance has had an adventurous start to 2024. In four appearances for the Reds, he has managed to score two goals and claim the trophy in the form of the League Cup. In addition, he signed a long-term contract with the club. The 18-year-old didn't expect it to happen this season, but he took advantage.
Dance has been regularly allowed to train with the first team, and says the young players are received very well by the senior players – and he picks out one in particular.
-Everyone was great and very thorough, Ippo was probably the best of all. He's very lively as a character, and it's hard to describe him, Dancy says.
– this is unbelievable. To me, he is still like a movie character after watching him on TV for so long. But you feel at home when he puts his arm on your shoulder.
The striker allows himself to be an inspiration for the entire team.
– We are talking about a team of players who are fighting for league gold and have won major tournaments. I'm just trying to learn as much as I can. Everyone has something to teach them, and for a young player, it's about getting as much advice as possible. Just look at Mohamed Salah, how professional he is. “It's simply fantastic,” Danz tells Liverpoolfc.com.
Inspired
At the moment, Dance is training with the England Under-18s, where he played with the captain's armband around his arm in the match against Germany before the weekend. The Scouser believes he can thank Jurgen Klopp and the coaching staff for all the positive experiences they have provided so far this season.
– The manager provides a lot of motivation and is an ideal role model. In my opinion, he is the best manager in the world. You get a little surprised when you see him because he has an aura around him.
-You are an inspiration every time you talk to him, and the same goes for Pep Lijnders, who was very important to me. The message from both is that you have to work as hard as you can.
“I will deal with all the challenges they give me and I will do everything in my power to become as good a player as possible,” Danz says.
Hungry to score goals
As a striker, Danns is always on the lookout for more goals, and has a huge internal drive to show himself and fight every minute he can get on the pitch.
– My goal is to develop as much as possible and become a better player, score goals and do a good job for the team. Hunger exists to the highest degree. Getting a taste of first-team football is incredible and I just want to get more opportunities. “This is my childhood club, and I'm grateful to be in this position,” he says.
-But you have to work hard even when opportunities don't come. There are players from the row in front of me in the queue, so there's no need to get upset if I can't play. He says it's about paying attention to the opportunities that come along and feeling grateful when they happen.
Dunne's side and the England Under-18s play against the Netherlands on Monday.
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