Arne Slot has been reluctant to use too many academy players this season despite Liverpool lacking squad depth and having injury issues.
We all know what a top talent Rio Ngumoha is, but even the winger hardly starts matches and was only in the eleven against Chelsea, where he was the best player, because of so many injuries in the Reds’ forward line.
Alongside Ngumoha, midfielder Trey Nyoni has been named in a lot of matchday squads this season and is expected to be given more of a chance in the upcoming pre-season.
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Trey Nyoni to be given chance to impress in pre-season
Andy Robertson heaped praise on Nyoni in March, calling the youngster outstanding after one of his rare appearances.
He said: “I thought Trey, when he came on, was outstanding as well. These two are really, really important to the squad.
“They’re only young, but they’ve been growing and growing so much as the season’s been going on.”
Despite the glowing verdict from Robertson, though, Slot has afforded Nyoni just 14 minutes of Premier League football this term.
But that could change once he has been given a chance to show what he can do in the 2026 pre-season.
As Paul Gorst explained on the Blood Red podcast: “Trey Nyoni, I know Liverpool have got big hopes for him and the fact that he’s around the first team squad every week and he’s always on the bench says Arne Slot feels likewise.
“So yeah, could be a big summer for him. He’ll get opportunities during pre-season because most of them are going to be at the World Cup, so yeah, let’s see what happens there.”
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Arne Slot’s promise to Trey Nyoni
But this is not the first time there has been talk of the midfielder getting more chances to shine, though.
Speaking back in late January, Slot suggested Nyoni was close to playing more, in a similar role to Ngumoha.
He said: “I think Trey showed when he came in that he comes closer and closer to a situation where I can also bring him in.
“He’s developed really nicely in the last year, he gets closer and closer to coming in in moments that matter even more.
“That has already happened for Rio and Trey is really close to that moment.”
However, as mentioned, barring two starts in the Carabao Cup, Nyoni has not really been used, playing less than 90 minutes of football in the league and Champions League this term.
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