Liverpool coach confirms midfielder is SERIOUSLY struggling

One Liverpool midfielder is seriously struggling at the moment according to the club's coach.

Arne Slot has created a very competitive and 'elite' environment at first-team level. This has inspired excellence across the board and has brought out the best of the Reds' current players.

They are Premier League champions because of Slot's methods. They are still considered one of the favourites for the Premier League and the Champions League, despite six losses this season, because of the players at their disposal.

The competitive environment though has made it a challenge for some players. Slot unlike his predecessor does not like to rotate his options.

Whereas Jurgen Klopp was ready to make changes and give young players a chance, Slot is way more reluctant to do this. He demands the very best from his players and he wants them to reach a certain very high standard before he's ready to unleash them.

It's made life more difficult for some of the club's youngsters.

One of those players struggling amid this environment is Trey Nyoni. Under Klopp, he established himself as one of the most promising young players at the club after arriving from Leicester City.

Nyoni made his debut in his first season at the club and it looked like he was going places. Especially after he had a strong pre-season with Slot in the summer of 2024, where he even scored at Anfield.

But things took a drastic turn since. Last season Nyoni's minutes were limited and while he was regularly training with the first-team he was expected to make a step-up this season.

In pre-season, he was very strong again, even being utilised in multiple positions. But those chances at first-team level continue to elude him.

Now he's been asked to drop down a level and play for the U19s in the UEFA Youth League, where in his most recent outing he very much struggled against a strong Real Madrid side who thumped the Reds 4-0.

Speaking after the match to This is Anfield, Liverpool U21 head-coach Rob Page admitted that Nyoni was struggling.

“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 said.

“He’s still a young lad don’t forget,” added former Wales boss Page.

“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.

“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.”

Nyoni is a fantastic talent, but it's clear that he's getting a little frustrated with his lack of opportunities. He still needs to be stronger for Liverpool's standards, and perhaps the next best move for him might be to go out on loan.

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