Luton boss Rob Edwards and Jurgen Klopp shared a lighthearted joke after Liverpool’s impressive 4-1 victory at Anfield on Wednesday night.
The Hatters took a surprise lead through Chiedozie Ogbene’s first-half header, only for the hosts to fight back after the break courtesy of a four-goal salvo.
Virgil van Dijk powered in a header from a corner to level the scores before Cody Gakpo finished off a defy cross from Alexis Mac Allister to seal the turnaround.
The win was made even more impressive in light of Klopp’s injury crisis. As many as nine senior players were ruled out, meaning five academy stars were on the bench.
Rob Edwards shared a joke with Jurgen Klopp and Jayden Danns after Liverpool beat Luton
Academy startlet Danns (left) was brought on for the final few minutes of the Reds’ 4-1 victory
As Liverpool coasted toward the final whistle with a comfortable advantage, the boss took the opportunity to blood two of them in James McConnell and Bobby Clark.
And in the 89th minute, the talented Jayden Danns was handed his first-team debut.
After he caught the eye during his fleeing cameo, Klopp made a beeline for Danns to congratulate the 18-year-old striker and pull him into a hug.
Edwards, despite the nature of the scoreline, was seen walking over before tapping Klopp on the shoulder. He is then thought to have said, ‘I played against his dad!’
The surprise revelation provoked a laugh from both Danns and Klopp, with Edwards then clapping the starlet on the shoulder before heading toward the centre circle.
Luton boss Edwards made a beeline for Danns and revealed he had played with his father
Liverpool are now four points clear at the top of the Premier League after the turnaround
Edwards played for the likes of Wolves, Aston Villa and Blackpool before hanging up his boots and also represented Wales on the international stage.
It is during his 15 caps that he is thought to have met Jason Danns, Jayden’s father.
Speaking to reporters, Klopp likened the win, and the second-half onslaught, to Liverpool’s famous Champions League comeback triumph against Barcelona.
‘I needed a few minutes to process it when I got all the injury news but when I know how you can deal with it, it feels really good,’ he said. ‘This is now there. Barcelona.
And now against Luton. There are plenty of reasons to give up but I saw only a super group fighting. If you don’t limit yourself to bad thoughts, I felt fine.’
