Fun fact Rob Edwards told Liverpool debut-maker Jayden Danns at full time

A youthful Liverpool side came from a goal down to beat Luton 4-1 at Anfield on a memorable Wednesday night encounter.

With the first-team squad ravaged by injury — neither Mohamed Salah nor Darwin Nuñez even made the bench in the end — Jurgen Klopp fielded the youngest Reds starting XI in a Premier League match since 2018.

The average age of 25 years and 65 days would been much younger but for the presence of Virgil van Dijk and Wataru Endo, while the bench featured five teenagers.

In the end it was a night all about youth.

After going a goal down in the first half, the young Reds produced a spirited comeback in the second 45 to run out 4-1 winners, with Harvey Elliott (still only 20) among those shining.

According to Opta, the former Fulham man is the youngest player on record to score, have 5+ shots, create 5+ chances, have 10+ touches in the opposition's box and make 25+ passes ending in the final third in a Premier League game.

However, Elliott, who reached 100 appearances for Liverpool on the night, is an old-timer compared to the subs.

With the game under control Klopp gave minutes to youngsters Bobby Clark, James McConnell and a debut to highly rated striker Jayden Danns, who only turned 18 last month and had never previously been in a matchday squad for the senior side.

The Liverpool-born forward has been prolific for the Reds' academy and impressed in his brief cameo, playing the key through ball that led to Elliott's goal.

Upon the final whistle the teenager earned a big hug from Klopp for his efforts — a moment which was interrupted by Luton boss Rob Edwards.

In a moment captured by the cameras that went viral on social media, Edwards told Klopp: “I played against his dad!” to which the Liverpool manager burst into laughter.

Jayden is, of course, the son of former midfielder Neil Danns, himself a former Liverpool academy player.

Though Danns Senior never made a first-team appearance for the Reds, he went on to star for a host of clubs including Birmingham, Bolton and Crystal Palace between 2002 and 2023.

Amid the the negativity of Liverpool's injury issues, Wednesday's big win showed how crisis can lead to opportunity, while the heartwarming moment between Klopp, Edwards and Danns summed up just how youthful the Reds' team on the night was.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Klopp said of debut-maker Danns: "I’m so happy that all the kids came on and played, Dannsy [Jayden Danns] said 50 times, ‘Thank you, boss!’ I’m so happy that I could give him that opportunity, the boys deserve it."