Liverpool coach says Trey Nyoni has four key qualities that Andoni Iraola loves
· James Findlater · 2026-08-11 · nguồn gốc
Liverpool coach says Trey Nyoni has four key qualities that Andoni Iraola loves
Trey Nyoni has impressed with his performances during pre-season, and one Liverpool coach believes he could be the perfect player for Andoni Iraola to call upon in the new season
Trey Nyoni has been hailed as Liverpool’s “best player in pre-season” by one of the club’s coaches, with the youngster backed to offer Andoni Iraola exactly what he wants in his midfield this season.
Nyoni has been a regular feature for the Reds during pre-season, having played in all four friendlies so far, and the 19-year-old has impressed with his performances.
The teenager has taken advantage of the opportunities handed to him by Iraola, with first-team regulars Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister returning to training late following the World Cup, while Liverpool has not made any new signings in midfield so far.
Nyoni will be hoping he can get more opportunities in the senior side in the forthcoming campaign, having only made 14 appearances for Arne Slot’s side last season, with just two of those coming from the start.
U21 coach Jay Spearing believes it could be a big season for Nyoni, and the former midfielder is delighted with what he’s seen from his protege so far this summer.
“Listen, I’m probably the biggest singer for Trey Nyoni,” Spearing told LFCTV before Sunday’s friendly against Monaco.
“Since the day he’s come in, he plays well above his years. Even at this stage now in pre-season, for me, in my opinion only, people obviously might think that’s wrong, but I thought he was Liverpool’s best player in pre-season.
“I think he really showcased what he was about [on tour]. Without going too much [into it], we had a real good chat at the end of last year, over the summer.”
He added: “[We said] it was a huge opportunity for him going into this window, this pre-season, with the players being at the World Cup, to really knuckle down and show the manager.
“We knew he’d show what he was all about. For me, his best position as a No. 6. His passing range, his vision, his aggression, his pressing forward — which the manager wants.
“As a No. 6 for the manager, he wants them to be aggressive, to get on the ball and play but then obviously clean up and sweep behind with the center-halves.
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“For me, Trey Nyoni was Liverpool’s best player in pre-season [so far]. He backs himself incredibly well. I love it, I love that he has the confidence.
“Trey really does believe in his ability. It’s now getting him to really showcase it on a week-to-week, day-to-day basis. The trust that he’s gained from the manager in this window, short passes, long passes, everything, he really showcased himself.”
Iraola himself has been very impressed with what he has seen from Nyoni, having singled him out for praise during the Reds’ pre-season tour of the U.S.
"Trey is very good on the ball, very calm, he reads the situations well," Iraola said after the win over Wrexham. "We're reinforcing him in the work without the ball, in the press, and he is absolutely doing very well.
"I think the timings of the jumps are very good. He is always confident on the ball so we encourage him.
"Sometimes even if he loses the ball, 'Try to find the No.10, try to find the No.9, even balls in behind, look a little bit further' because he can do it, because he is so, so good.
"At the end, he is a midfielder who, I always say, you have to ask for the ball sometimes with pressure — and he doesn't feel this pressure. Even when he has one opponent quite close, he asks for that ball and he's confident, he doesn't rush. For me, that is very valuable."