Trey Nyoni believes he has grown from his involvement with Liverpool's first team last season, even though he is still waiting for his full Premier League debut. The 19-year-old midfielder was in the matchday squad for 29 of 38 league games but made only six substitute appearances, with his longest outing coming in the 83rd minute on the final day against Brentford.
Limited Minutes but Valuable Experience
Nyoni also had brief appearances from the bench in the Champions League and FA Cup, but he started both of Liverpool's League Cup matches under former manager Arne Slot. Overall, he has made 20 appearances for the Reds since his debut under Jurgen Klopp in February 2024, just days after being an unused substitute in the League Cup final win over Chelsea.
Reflecting on last season, Nyoni told liverpoolfc.com: “I know sometimes on the outside it looks like it wasn't as great and obviously as a football player you want to play more, but I think last season for me was a very good learning year. (It was) a good development year and an introduction into what it's like to be in the first team. So, I think this season (the aim) is just keep progressing and just keep pushing, but obviously it all starts now with pre-season. That's the most important thing at the minute and then the season will follow.”
Pre-Season Opportunity Under Iraola
Nyoni has been a regular in the last two pre-seasons and is expected to feature prominently during Liverpool's United States tour, which begins on Monday with games against Sunderland, Leeds United, and Wrexham. With eight first-team players away on World Cup duty, the teenager is eager to impress new head coach Andoni Iraola.
“It's exciting times ahead,” Nyoni said. “It’s been good to be back and to see everyone again and I’m ready to go. There are still a few players away so obviously there’s an opportunity to play and just show what I can do in that sense. But I'll just go out there and just enjoy it and just try to do my best.”
Of Iraola, Nyoni added: “He’s very friendly, he’s very welcoming to everyone and I think he communicates quite well. Managers will always have their different styles, it's just about us adapting to it. But it is exciting. At the minute I'm just focused on performing as well as I can in training and games, and just trying to enjoy my football as well. I think that's the most important thing because if you enjoy your football then you'll perform better.”
