Liverpool’s academy is currently in a very strong position, and Trey Nyoni is one of the youngsters the club has high hopes for.
Last summer, Liverpool brought in a lad from Leicester who had just turned 16. He was put into the under-18s almost immediately, and it wasn’t long before he caught Jurgen Klopp’s eye.
With his first team debut and 24 appearances in all competitions, it wasn’t a bad first year for Nyoni at Liverpool!
After his final game of the season – a penalty shootout defeat by Tottenham U21s – his coach, Under-23 coach Barry Lewtas, spoke to reporters including Ian Doyle of Liverpool Echo.
Lewtas praised Nyoni’s move to Merseyside, saying: “Trey is fantastic. For me, that’s a nice part of the job. Trey spent a short time with the U18s and then progressed, establishing himself at the club this season.
“You want guys to hit the ground running right away when they come in, and Trey did that. Credit to him, it shows his mentality and how he approaches the game.”
After making an impact at under-21 level, Nyoni trained with the senior team on several occasions in the second half of the season and impressed enough to make his debut, against Southampton in the FA Cup.
It is clear that the staff who remain at Liverpool see the huge potential he possesses.
“I hope Trey spends a long time at Liverpool,” added Lewtas.
“He managed to do a lot – he settled down quickly, integrated into the group, the staff and the level of his performances were really good.
“Trey is now famous and it will be important for him to continue on the path he is on.”
Playing mainly as an attacking midfielder for the under-18s, Nyoni scored three goals and provided one assist in five games before being moved up.
Although of weak build, he showed raw talent as a serious creative force. Still only 16, he has plenty of time to develop into a Liverpool player capable of competing for trophies.
Nyoni is also an England U18 international and has been capped four times at that level by coach Tom Curtis.
