Reaction'One to remember' - Danns and Koumas on emphatic Youth Cup win

The Reds advanced into round five in outstanding fashion on Saturday night, with Koumas helping himself to a hat-trick in Kirkby.

Trent Kone-Doherty scored either side of the interval and Danns then got two goals of his own, pouncing on a defensive mistake to net from long range before converting a classy free-kick.

“It was mainly a team thing,” Koumas told Liverpoolfc.com post-match.

“Obviously it’s great to get through and beat such a good team in Arsenal. I’m sure everyone is happy in the Academy.

“I didn’t get the chance [to play in the Youth Cup] last season due to injury. Obviously it’s a massive competition and I just wanted to come down [from U21 level] and do my best for the team.”

Danns said: “It was brilliant, the team gave a brilliant performance and [it’s] great to be through.

“Obviously it’s one to remember. Arsenal are a big club and the boys played brilliantly.”

He added of his powerful set-piece finish from around 25 yards for Liverpool’s sixth goal: “To be honest, it was a bit of a blur. As soon as I saw it hit the back of the net, the celebrations went off! It was a great moment.”

The attacking pair each claimed an assist in the contest, too, with Danns showing strength and awareness to set up Koumas’ early opener.

Koumas later delivered a deft key pass off his chest as Kone-Doherty broke through along the left flank to make it 3-1 to Liverpool in the first half.

Explaining that set-up, he said: “We were working on that in training through the week, hold-up play inside.

“Due to the snow we were indoors so we were limited, but we have been working on it and it paid off.”

Another home tie awaits Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s team in the next stage, with the winner of Wednesday’s meeting between Swansea City and Fulham their opponents.

“We want to go and win it,” added Koumas. “I’m sure that’s what the team is going to keep pushing to do in training. Hopefully we can.”