Liverpool coach confirms midfielder is having a ‘difficult time’ lately | OneFootball

Rob Page’s View on Trey Nyoni as Liverpool Manage a Delicate Development Phase

Liverpool have spent much of the past decade building a pathway that moves talent quickly from academy promise to first team readiness. Trey Nyoni sits right at the centre of that structure, although his journey this season has become more complex than many expected. Rob Page, who oversees the Liverpool U21s, offered a candid assessment of where the teenager currently stands and why careful management remains crucial.

Rising Expectations Meet Development Reality

Few young players have caught the attention at Liverpool quite like Nyoni. Arne Slot identified his qualities immediately upon arrival, taking him on the pre season tour and handing him five senior appearances across the title winning campaign. This season, Nyoni featured in both Carabao Cup ties but has found it more challenging to secure minutes in the Premier League where competition for midfield positions is fierce.

His recent outing for the Liverpool U19s in the UEFA Youth League highlighted that tension between aspiration and performance. The 4-0 defeat to Real Madrid saw him lose possession in risky areas, a reminder that rhythm and confidence matter even for players with high ceilings. Page did not shy away from the reality. “I think that’s a fair assessment (that he wasn’t at his best against Madrid). I think Trey would probably agree with that.”

Photo: IMAGO

Managing the Space Between First Team and Academy

Nyoni has been training regularly with the first team while also stepping back into the academy setup to secure meaningful minutes. That dual existence is not easy, and Page acknowledged the emotional and competitive demands placed on a young footballer still adjusting to senior expectations. “He’s in a difficult space right now and it’s about keeping him confident, managing his expectations of his involvement with the first team, but it is a difficult space for those young players.”

Page emphasised that the midfielder’s rapid rise should not obscure the fact he is still learning. “He’s still a young lad don’t forget,” he said. “He’s had involvement with the first team from an early age and [the challenge] is managing his minutes, it’s giving him game time but it’s maintaining the standards that he sets as well.”

Long Term Potential Remains Undimmed

Nyoni’s talent has never been in question. His arrival from Leicester at 16 came with high hopes, and Jurgen Klopp rewarded him quickly with a debut in the 3-0 FA Cup win over Southampton, a match remembered for goals by Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns. That appearance made him the fourth youngest player in Liverpool’s history, an early indicator of how highly he was regarded.

Despite a natural shift from wide attacker to elegant midfielder, the fundamentals of his game remain clear. He is composed, technically polished and trusted in possession. Page retains complete faith in what Nyoni can become. “And I think if you ask him, he’s probably fallen a little bit below that today for whatever reason, but we’ll get him back on track and there’s a talented, talented footballer in there.”

Liverpool will continue to balance patience with ambition, and Nyoni, still only 18, sits at a pivotal moment in his development. If the club can navigate this stretch wisely, the long term rewards could be significant.