Report: Arne Slot really wants to get academy 'talent' involved in the first-team and is set to use him tonight
Today at 08:30 AM
Liverpool look set to make some interesting team selections during Wednesday night’s visit to Southampton.
The Reds have a number of injury problems going into the game, with the defence in particular looking on the threadbare side.
Arne Slot is going to have to earn his corn at St Mary’s, with the Liverpool head coach likely to turn to some of his talented youngsters to plug the gaps.
And while Slot said there may be some surprises in defence, who is selected in the back line will have a knock-on effect as to who plays further forward, too.
One of the youngsters who could benefit from this is 17-year-old Trey Nyoni.
Nyoni caught Slot’s eye in pre-season and having since made one, 26-minute appearance against Brighton, the youngster looks set for another Carabao Cup run out on the South Coast.
Trey Nyoni set for Liverpool minutes
Given Liverpool’s slight lack of midfielders this season, some had perhaps expected to see much more of Nyoni at this juncture.
However, Slot has seemingly been keen to protect the former Leicester prospect, who has been turning out for the U21s and U19s instead.
According to The Times, though, the Dutch coach could now turn to Nyoni to start on Wednesday.
They claim that the Liverpool academy midfielder is set to make his full debut against Southampton.
Although they stop short of saying that Nyoni will definitely play, it is said to be a ‘possibility’ that Slot picks the teenager to start.
The Liverpool boss is reportedly ‘eager’ for Nyoni to have game time and Wednesday could prove the right chance for that to happen.
Will any other youngsters play for Liverpool?
While we wait to see whether Nyoni is indeed given the nod to start against Southampton. The Times do make some more decisive calls.
They report that all three of Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo and Tyler Morton are in line to start against the Saints.
Meanwhile, youngsters James Norris and Amara Nallo are reportedly set to be ‘considered’.
But it is Nyoni who takes the top billing, with quotes from Slot highlighting just how highly he rates the midfielder.
“He is a young player — really young, but with a lot of talent,” raved the 46-year-old. Hopefully we get the chance to see that talent for a sustained period at St Mary’s.
