Soccer

Like father, like son – Liverpool’s youngsters now making a name for themselves

Bobby Clark, Jayden Danns and Lewis Koumas are following in their fathers’ footsteps

Lee Clark, Neil Danns and Jason Koumas have sons playing at Anfield
Lee Clark, Neil Danns and Jason Koumas have sons playing at Anfield

Liverpool’s youngsters have had a significant week in the spotlight, helping beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday before setting up an FA Cup quarter-final trip to Manchester United after victory over Southampton.

Three of them – Bobby Clark, Jayden Danns and Lewis Koumas – are following in their former professional footballer fathers’ footsteps.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the fresh faces who have taken their opportunity to shine at Anfield.

Bobby Clark

Bobby Clark, right, replaced Conor Bradley at Wembley
Bobby Clark, right, replaced Conor Bradley at Wembley (Adam Davy/PA)

Given a handful of opportunities in recent weeks, the 19-year-old is an attacking midfielder. The son of former Newcastle midfielder Lee Clark, he joined the club from the Magpies in 2021 and signed a long-term contract last December.

Jayden Danns

Jayden Danns won a cup in only his second senior appearance
Jayden Danns won a cup in only his second senior appearance (Nick Potts/PA)

An 18-year-old forward, son of the much-travelled former Colchester, Crystal Palace and Bolton midfielder Neil Danns, only made his first-team debut as an 89th-minute substitute in the 4-1 win over Luton last Wednesday. A week later he came off the bench to score twice against Southampton.

Lewis Koumas

Lewis Koumas scored on his Liverpool debut
Lewis Koumas scored on his Liverpool debut (Peter Byrne/PA)

Koumas, the son of former Wales international Jason Koumas, joined the club as a 10-year-old from one of his dad’s former clubs Tranmere and only signed his first professional contract last month. He enjoyed a dream debut as, picked in the starting line-up, he scored the opening goal against Southampton.

Conor Bradley

Bradley, left, has impressed in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence
Bradley, left, has impressed in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence (Adam Davy/PA)

A relatively familiar name among the group having been given an opportunity in the second half of the campaign in the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Northern Irish right-back, 20, who spent last season on loan at Bolton, has shown promise for his attacking and defensive qualities.

James McConnell

James McConnell came to Liverpool from Sunderland
James McConnell came to Liverpool from Sunderland (Peter Byrne/PA)

The 19-year-old midfielder has featured a handful of times off the bench after making his debut against Toulouse in the Europa League in October. Joined Liverpool as an Under-15s player after catching the eye at Sunderland.

Jarell Quansah

Jarell Quansah has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Anfield
Jarell Quansah has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Anfield

Warrington-born defender who has established himself in the first-team squad this season. The 21-year-old, who had a loan spell with Bristol Rovers last term, is a ball-playing centre-half who has come through the ranks at Liverpool after joining them at the age of five.

Trey Nyoni

Trey Nyoni became Liverpool’s third-youngest player after coming off the bench against Southampton
Trey Nyoni became Liverpool’s third-youngest player after coming off the bench against Southampton (Peter Byrne/PA)

Nyoni spent 10 years at Leicester’s academy before joining Liverpool in September. The England Under-16 international’s rapid rise saw him come off the bench against Southampton to become the club’s youngest player to feature in the FA Cup at 16 years and 243 days and third-youngest in Liverpool’s history.