Liverpool host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon looking to continue a positive run of form and close the gap on early pace-setters.
Andoni Iraola's men have been looking increasingly impressive after some inconsistent results initially under the former Bournemouth boss, with four consecutive wins in all competitions followed by the midweek penalty shootout success against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.
The visit of the champions represents the next major test since the clash with Manchester City at the start of October was comprehensively failed to the tune of a 3-0 defeat.
Victory would take the Reds above Brighton and Chelsea into third while closing the gap to Arsenal and league-leaders City down to three points.
The team selection promises to be crucial, and following developments during the week on Merseyside it appears to be time for the manager to make a key call on one of his up-and-coming stars.
Nyoni primed for first Premier League start
REUTERS/Peter Powell
Trey Nyoni was one of the Liverpool youngsters given an opportunity to impress from the outset in the cup clash on Wednesday and did so, outshining not only the likes of Lewis Koumas and James McConnell but also his senior midfield partner Ryan Gravenberch.
The teenager was assured in the centre of the park against Xabi Alonso's men, who fielded a trio of midfielders with extra significance at Anfield in the form of former Reds captain Jordan Henderson and two the club missed out on signing in Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
While Gravenberch had one of his shakier outings as a Liverpool player, conceding a penalty and generally seeming slightly off the pace, Nyoni looked the sharper and more composed, while McConnell struggled to get to grips with the game.
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Having started three times previously this term, in the Carabao Cup win over Tottenham and Champions League victories against LASK and Villarreal, while also getting an hour in the Premier League win at Brentford thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai's injury perhaps Nyoni's composure should have come as no surprise.
But despite making 30 appearances for the club he is still waiting for his first top flight start, so a full Premier League debut against the Gunners finally looks on the cards.
Wirtz could be sacrificed for Nyoni
Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz
Like attacking sensation Rio Ngumoha, Nyoni has clearly established himself as part of the first-team rotation in Iraola's mind, but apparently not yet to the degree to trust him from the outset in the league.
The Anfield boss has generally preferred Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister as his central pair in top flight matches since Szoboszlai's injury.
The Hungarian might be fit again for the Arsenal clash but rather than risk his fitness Nyoni offers a strong alternative, and after impressing in midweek provides Iraola the opportunity to make clear to the youngsters that such performances will be rewarded.
Gravenberch might seem like the obvious choice to miss out after his relative stinker in midweek but against a midfield as strong as Arsenal's a three-man unit, with Nyoni joining the Dutchman and either Mac Allister or Szoboszlai, should make the hosts that much more solid.
If Iraola goes for that set-up then it is likely mega-money man Florian Wirtz, whose form remains inconsistent 14 months on from his £116 million move from Bayer Leverkusen, and who spurned a fantastic chance to end the Chelsea game in normal time off the bench, is the one to miss out.
The German is starting to show flashes of why Liverpool broke the transfer record to sign him at the time, but is still short of making himself one of the first names on the teamsheet, so may have to settle for introduction off the bench.
Nyoni certainly appears to have earned his chance for a full Premier League debut, and it would be a big show of faith from his manager to be handed it against the champions.
Former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola celebrates after Premier League match
Former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola celebrates after Premier League match