Liverpool under-21s head coach Rob Page has explained Jayden Danns' absence after the EFL Trophy defeat at Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday evening.
Danns absent as precaution
Danns, who had featured alongside Will Wright at Rochdale two weeks ago, was not involved against Doncaster. Page said the striker pulled up in training last week.
"He pulled up in training last week and felt something and wasn't quite comfortable," said Page. "So we're not going to take any chances, there's no need at all."
"He is all right, he has been training but we didn't think it was a risk we wanted to take. He's fit, and we thought it was better for him to have two training days rather than half-an-hour or 45 minutes in this game."
Second-half improvement
Liverpool conceded on the stroke of half-time against League One strugglers Doncaster. Page's side laid siege on the home goal throughout the second half but fell short either through saves from Rovers goalkeeper Josh Clarke or wrong decisions with the final ball.
"I don't think we deserved to lose the game," said Page. "I'm disappointed with the manner in which we conceded the goal and the timing of it, which was a little bit naive on our part."
"Their keeper has made two world-class saves and in the second half we have created chance after chance."
"The change of shape definitely helped us and I thought we were a constant threat in the second half. Changing the defence to give us an extra body in midfield made us much the better team."
"The two boys from the first team - Chambo (Luke Chambers) and Macca (James McConnell) - were excellent second half."
Wright's audacious attempt
The nearest Liverpool came to scoring was during the first half when Will Wright won possession 35 yards out near the touchline and attempted an audacious lob that beat Clarke but struck the underside of the crossbar before bouncing clear.
"That's the place he is in at the moment," said Page. "He is full of confidence and to even consider taking on that opportunity is something."
Group stage implications
The defeat means Liverpool must win at Group B leaders Huddersfield - who thrashed Rochdale 5-0 on Tuesday - when they meet next month to have a chance of progressing to the knockout stages.
Doncaster, who have won just once in the league this season under Grant McCann, fielded a reasonably strong side that included veteran centre-back Neill Byrne and experienced striker Brandon Hanlan.
Page said: "This is the level our players want to get to. That was real football, that's what they will face week in, week out in league football."
"This competition is so beneficial for many reasons, but that one in particular. That's the physicality you are going to need to cope with twice a week."
"We were up against a League One team who haven't had an incredible start to the season so far, but knowing their manager as I do, he has a lot of experience and he'll definitely turn it round."
"So for our lads to be disappointed to lose to a League One team, it shows they have given a good account of themselves."
