Liverpool academy star tipped to be better than Kobbie Mainoo

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Pre-season friendlies over time have served clubs as an avenue to try out new tactics, promote team chemistry and most importantly try out youth team players or those that find minutes rare to come by.

On the books of Liverpool FC, the star of that showing has been the highly rated teenage Trey Nyoni who came on in the first half to replace the injured Curtis Jones against Real Betis.

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Nyoni, 17, had a spectacular game tucking in at the base of midfield and linking up the attack. His performances earned much plaudits from teammates, fans and particularly club gaffer Arne Slot who rained praises and exercised the need to fit him in slowly at his own space.

Nyoni joined Liverpool just last year making the switch from Leicester City having quickly gone through the youth team ranks at the club. His arrival with the Reds was fast tracked occasionally featuring in first team training sessions in the 2023/2024.

Last campaign, he featured for both the U18 and U21 youth set-ups finding five goals in his 23 appearances for both sides and eventually making his first team debut as a 16-year-old in an FA cup tie against Southampton earning a brief cameo off the bench.

That debut followed the inclusion in the team’s Carabao cup winning squad against Chelsea – one which featured a number of youth stars getting minutes. Nyoni however earned nothing more than a spot on the bench.

On the international scene, Nyoni made his debut for the English U18s earlier in March 2024 and has earned himself four appearances in all. His cameo against Real Betis saw him complete 42/46 passes with an accuracy of 91% and 52 touches in his 40 minutes of action.

Speaking on his performances, Arne Slot remarked “Trey did well, he was involved in the goal with a spot on pass between the lines and was involved in our biggest chance in the second half.

But he’s only just turned 17 and his body still has to grow. We are really careful with him. He can’t join every session. You can see his quality. He needs some time to grow and play at the Premier League level but he’s an interesting player”

Nyoni’s long strides and ball carrying when he gets the ball is that reminiscent of a certain Paul Pogba. For sure his quality is evident and time will tell just how far the youngster will go.

Tags: Trey Nyoni, Liverpool, #NRTCSPORT, #Pre-season, Arne Slot, Premier League, Paul Pogba, Kobbie Mainoo, #PL2, #FACup, #Carabao Cup, Curtis Jones, Real Betis