Trey Nyoni has been on the fringes of Liverpool’s first team for two years, shifting between academy games and Arne Slot‘s bench. He now needs to play football.
Cast your minds back to Nyoni’s debut; he was a timid-looking youngster, just 16 years old, coming off the bench against Southampton in the FA Cup.
Three days earlier, he had been on the bench to watch his new academy teammates triumph over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final.
He was now joining them at Anfield for the last 15 minutes of the Reds’ 3-0 fifth-round victory, secured by a goal from Lewis Koumas and a brace by Jayden Danns.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 28, 2024: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp brings on Trey Nyoni during the FA Cup 5th Round match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 28, 2024: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp brings on Trey Nyoni during the FA Cup 5th Round match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Two years later, he has bulked up massively. While he is still just 19 years old, the midfielder’s body has developed noticeably in 2026.
Nyoni only started two matches last season, making 12 appearances off the bench, totalling 237 minutes.
The youngster didn’t play enough to be properly judged but his performances were promising.
He was once a technically excellent player and a young man who would keep the ball moving, often sideways. He has since become more confident and willing to drive the ball forward, an attribute Andoni Iraola should appreciate.
Liverpool Under-21s manager Rob Page was keen to highlight Nyoni’s football brain when speaking to This Is Anfield in March.
“You talk about football intelligence on the pitch, he’s got it and then some. You can see why he’s going to have a bright future in the game.”
Liverpool see a first-team future for Nyoni
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Trey Nyoni during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Trey Nyoni during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
With the squad already thin, Liverpool blocked a loan move for Nyoni in January. Their stance could change this summer, however.
Premier League club Coventry and Championship outfit Swansea have both been linked, plus Academy director Alex Inglethorpe has said Nyoni is ready to take the next step.
“Watching Trey train, he looks ever so comfortable in that first-team environment,” he told the Athletic.
“There has to be juncture where you go from training every day with them to turning that into minutes on the pitch, and that’s where he’s at now.
“He’s shown patience and he’s ready to take the next step next season. I’ve got every confidence that Trey will go on to play a lot of games for this club.”
Too good for youth football
FRANKFURT, GERMANY - Wednesday, October 22, 2025: Liverpool's captain Trey Nyoni during the UEFA Youth League match between Eintracht Frankfurt Under-19's and Liverpool FC Under-19's at Sportpark Dreieich. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
FRANKFURT, GERMANY - Wednesday, October 22, 2025: Liverpool's captain Trey Nyoni during the UEFA Youth League match between Eintracht Frankfurt Under-19's and Liverpool FC Under-19's at Sportpark Dreieich. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Due to Slot’s reluctance to drop players like Alexis Mac Allister despite poor form, Nyoni spent much of last season sitting on the bench but playing for the under-21s in their more competitive games.
He played four times in the UEFA Youth League and featured in the PL 2 play-off match at the end of the season, as well as six games in the under-21s’ league.
For the most part, it was clear that Nyoni was above academy level and he must now decide whether to seek game time under Iraola or leave on loan.
It is unlikely that the midfielder makes a decision quickly, though, with several moving factors that could determine what the upcoming season will look like, should he remain on Merseyside.
Pre-season is a great chance for Nyoni to impress his new boss, with Iroala having already stated his desire to assess the youth in his squad.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Thursday, May 14, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola poses for an official photocall ahead of his first press conference at the AXA Training Centre. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Thursday, May 14, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola poses for an official photocall ahead of his first press conference at the AXA Training Centre. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“We will have a chance to work especially with some of the young players, because a lot of senior players will be out and arriving later,” the head coach told LFC TV.
“I think it gives us the chance to know better the players from the academy, some of the players who have been on loan.”
An opportunity in Liverpool’s midfield
As well as being able to prove his worth in pre-season training and friendlies, potential departures would also elevate Nyoni’s status.
Liverpool are not loaded in central positions – Dominik Szoboszlai is a starter, as is Ryan Gravenberch – and last season’s showings suggested that beyond them, places are up for grabs.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, April 13, 2026: Liverpool's (L-R) Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha and Hugo Ekitike during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, April 13, 2026: Liverpool's (L-R) Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha and Hugo Ekitike during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Even the Reds’ younger midfielders, such as Stefan Bajcetic and James McConnell, aren’t secure in their place at the club.
While Iraola has said he wants Curtis Jones to stay, it isn’t a foregone conclusion that he will turn down a transfer.
In addition, Alexis Mac Allister will miss the Reds’ US pre-season tour due to his participation in the World Cup final, giving Nyoni extra game time ahead of the new season.
The Argentine has improved at this summer’s tournament, but if his poor club form were to continue into the upcoming campaign, there would be even greater opportunity for others to feature.
If Nyoni leaves on loan, he won’t be forgotten by Liverpool, but there is now a rare chance for him to step up at the beginning of a new manager’s reign.
Football – Premier League 2 – Liverpool FC Under-21’s v Tottenham Hotspur FC Under-21’s
Football – Premier League 2 – Liverpool FC Under-21’s v Tottenham Hotspur FC Under-21’s
samuelmartinez
Football – Liverpool’s new head coach Andoni Iraola
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Thursday, May 14, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola poses for an official photocall ahead of his first press conference at the AXA Training Centre. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)