Liverpool academy chief Alex Inglethorpe admits he enjoyed Jayden Danns' breakthrough this season.

The teenage striker went from the U18s to winning the Carabao Cup in a matter of weeks.

Inglethorpe told liverpoolfc.com: "What I love about being in the Academy is that every year there is a lesson for you.

"Dannsy [Jayden Danns] was a good one for me this year. Last year [he] starts off and couldn't get in the U18s. This year [he] starts off really well in the U18s but couldn't get in the U21s.

"It wasn't until a little bit later; I remember phoning Pep [Lijnders] and saying I think you need to have a little look because there's something there.

"He trained for a bit and then three weeks later just after the cup final Pep texted me and said, 'When you wanted me to have a look, is that what you meant?'

"It's gone from three weeks of training with the first team to playing in a cup final. You just don't know.

"You never know until someone actually steps foot in a stadium full of people with the team. I don't think you ever really know whether someone can play until they're put on the stage and given the opportunity."

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Oilers crush Panthers in Game 4, stay alive in Stanley Cup Final
Dodgers ace leaves game against Royals due to triceps tightness
Sam Mayer uses overtime restart to win Xfinity Series' return to Iowa
Liberty forward pushes herself into MVP conversation with big game vs. Aces
Tiger Woods makes big admission about his U.S. Open future
Cubs P 'Mike' Imanaga continues hot start vs. Cardinals
Celtics' All-Defensive guard reportedly could replace Kawhi Leonard on Team USA
Tee Higgins' contract decision adds pressure on Bengals in 2024
One-time Defensive Player of the Year open to reunion with former team
College baseball has become too regional for its own good
Three Padres prospects who should be untouchable in trade talks
Connor McDavid's history-making night helps Oilers stave off elimination
Astros scratch Justin Verlander as nightmare season continues
Watch: Oilers chase goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky from Game 4
Watch: Rockies third baseman takes advantage of Pirates laziness' to steal home
Pirates place young catcher on concussion IL
Watch: Game 4 of Stanley Cup Final gets off to chaotic start
Rockies 1B, former NL MVP diagnosed with internal oblique strain
NBA insider shares update on J.J. Redick's candidacy for Lakers HC job
Nationals hurler DJ Herz makes impressive history in third career start

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.