Arne Slot believes Jayden Danns has emerged as a new central striking option as Liverpool consider the value of a loan move for the teenager this month. Danns came off the bench to score in the 4-0 FA Cup third round win over Accrington Stanley last weekend on his second appearance of the season.

The 19-year-old, who made his senior breakthrough last term and featured in the League Cup final win over Chelsea, missed much of the first half of this campaign through injury.

Since his return in late November, Danns has scored in the UEFA Youth League draw at Girona and was also on the mark for the under-21s in their Premier League International Cup clash at home to Sparta Prague on Wednesday.

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The forward was close to a loan to Plymouth Argyle in the summer before his fitness worries emerged, with Championship sides Stoke City and Derby County reportedly considering the offer of a temporary move during this month's transfer window.

With Diogo Jota struggling to be available for the trip to Brentford on Saturday, Danns could be involved in a Premier League matchday squad for only the second time this season.

And when asked if worries over the fitness of Jota - the Portuguese has already missed a chunk of the season through injury - could influence a decision to release Danns on loan, Liverpool boss Slot said: "You take a lot of things into account if you want to loan out a player and this could be one of them, but there are also other factors you take into account. Is it good for a player to get some playing time, yes or no? Do we think we still need him?

"We do already have three options for the number nine position. It's not like that we now expect Jota to be out for a long period of time. It will be a struggle to have him on the pitch on Saturday but we are hoping to see him on the pitch in the near future again.

"We have three options, but Jayden did really well when he came in so we have actually four options and it's up to us as a club to make the best possible decision for the near future but also the long-term future of this club."

A move to Stoke would see Danns reunite with Lewis Koumas, who is enjoying a successful loan spell from Liverpool with the Potters, while Nat Phillips is on a season-long stay at Derby from Anfield.