Curtis Jones’ impending move to Inter Milan leaves Liverpool with a significant question in midfield.
But it could also create a huge opportunity for one of the club’s most exciting young players.
Trey Nyoni.
Liverpool have three established senior midfielders in Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai following Jones’ departure, while Nyoni is one of the youngsters highly regarded at Anfield.
So could this finally be the season when Nyoni starts to establish himself as a genuine first-team option?
The door has suddenly opened
Nyoni has already shown that he isn’t intimidated by senior football.
He made his Liverpool first-team debut at just 16 and has continued to be given opportunities around the senior squad.
Now, with Jones leaving, there is potentially another pathway opening up.
Andoni Iraola has already demonstrated during pre-season that he is prepared to trust young players who impress him.
That’s important.
Nyoni doesn’t necessarily need Liverpool to sign another midfielder to block his route into the team.
He needs an opportunity to prove that he belongs.
But Liverpool shouldn’t put too much pressure on him
This is where I’d be careful.
Nyoni is still incredibly young.
Liverpool shouldn’t suddenly expect a teenager to replace everything Jones brought to the squad.
There will be difficult games where experience is required.
There will be Champions League matches where Iraola may prefer his senior midfielders.
And there will be periods where Nyoni doesn’t play.
That’s completely normal.
But if he can become the fourth midfield option, rather than simply an academy player brought into training, that would represent a massive step forward.
Could Nyoni be the surprise beneficiary?
The timing is fascinating.
Liverpool have reportedly been considering whether they even need to replace Jones with another senior midfielder, with some reports suggesting the club are unlikely to enter the market for a direct replacement.
If that remains the case, Nyoni could be one of the biggest beneficiaries.
Instead of another experienced player arriving ahead of him, the club could give him a genuine opportunity to compete for minutes.
And that’s exactly what young players need.
Not promises. Opportunities.
Iraola’s trust could be crucial
One thing I really like about Iraola is that he doesn’t appear afraid of giving youngsters a chance.
We’ve already seen several academy players train with the first team during pre-season.
Nyoni has impressed enough to remain part of that picture, and reports have suggested there is an expectation that he will get opportunities with the senior side.
Now Jones’ departure potentially gives him even more reason to be involved.
This could be Trey Nyoni’s moment.
Curtis Jones leaving is undoubtedly disappointing, particularly because he came through Liverpool’s academy.
But every departure creates an opportunity for somebody else.
For Nyoni, this could be the opportunity he’s been waiting for.
I don’t think Liverpool should expect him to replace Jones.
But I absolutely think they should give him the chance to show whether he can.
And if Nyoni takes that opportunity, Liverpool could discover that the solution to their midfield depth problem has been sitting in their academy all along.
Maybe this is the year Trey Nyoni announces himself.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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