Leave the kids alone

Liverpool's fans and the media must avoid sensationalizing the English Premier League club's young players and afford them the time they need to grow and learn, manager Jurgen Klopp said.

Because of Liverpool's lengthy injury list, Klopp was forced to field a young team in their 3-0 win over Championship side Southampton in their FA Cup fifth-round tie, with 18-year-olds Jayden Danns and Lewis Koumas scoring their first goals for the senior team.

Klopp compared the attention the teenagers were getting to Luke Littler, who made headlines last month as the youngest player to reach the final of the World Darts Championship.

"It's a little bit like with the new darts sensation," Klopp said.

"It's fine for tonight, but from tomorrow on leave the boys in the corner please and don't ask 'where are they now, where are they now, where are they now.' They have a lot to improve, a lot to learn," Klopp said.

"We said a couple of times that the future doesn't look that bad. Don't forget it when the transfer window opens that there are a couple of pretty promising players already here. Don't close the door on them with 12 signings."

Just days after a young Liverpool side beat Chelsea 1-0 in extra time to lift the League Cup at Wembley, Danns struck twice as the Reds booked an FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.

Danns struck in the 73rd minute when he dinked the ball over goalkeeper Joe Lumley. He scored again 15 minutes later when he pounced on a loose ball after Lumley batted away Conor Bradley's shot.

"I couldn't be happier. Today is the best day of my life," Danns said. "I've watched Liverpool since I was a young boy and to score at the Kop End is more than a dream."

Koumas, the teenage son of former Wales international Jason Koumas, scored just before half-time, receiving a superb pass from Bobby Clark before shooting into the bottom corner via a deflection off Jack Stephens.

Elsewhere, Brazilian Casemiro struck late to give Manchester United a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest while Chelsea overcame second-tier Leeds United 3-2 thanks to Conor Gallagher's 90th-minute winner.

REUTERS