Jayden Danns has been declared "ready to go" by Liverpool's under-21 head coach Rob Page after an 18-month injury nightmare, with the striker looking to put his setbacks behind him and challenge for first-team involvement

Jayden Danns has been declared "ready to go" as the Liverpool striker attempts to leave his 18-month injury ordeal firmly in the past.

Danns was named among the substitutes for the third consecutive Champions League fixture during the 4-3 triumph over Villarreal at Anfield on Tuesday. The 20-year-old hasn't appeared for the senior side since September last year, soon after which he sustained a severe hamstring injury before suffering another blow during his return with the under-21s in March.

The striker had previously seen a proposed loan switch to Sunderland in January 2025 ultimately collapse due to a back complaint that ruled him out for the remainder of that season and Liverpool's preseason program.

Danns was scheduled to participate in new head coach Andoni Iraola's summer training sessions only to be sidelined with yet another injury concern, and has since been rebuilding his match sharpness with the U21s.

He took part in the EFL Trophy stalemate at Rochdale and all five Premier League 2 fixtures to date, including the opening 45 minutes of the thrilling 1-0 home victory against Reading at the weekend.

And U21s head coach Rob Page believes the focus now centers on increasing the striker's playing time before pushing for more consistent first-team squad selection.

"His fitness is good," said Page. "It was always part of the plan that some games he will play and others he won't.

"Sometimes he will play 45. It depends on what his training load has been throughout the week.

"If he has done enough work during the week, it might just be that he is getting game time.

"It's not about 90 minutes — it's about game time to get his sharpness so that he is ready when he is called on.

"He's ready to go.

"It's just like with any of these top athletes, you have to manage the load throughout the week and be sensible about it."

Liverpool's next Premier League game is against Brighton at Anfield on Sunday.

The Seagulls have made a stunning start to the season, picking up 16 points from their first seven Premier League games to sit third in the table, just two points behind Arsenal in second.