Arne Slot has discovered the perfect Ryan Gravenberch midfield replacement

Ryan Gravenberch has been under increased scrutiny this season - following Liverpool’s Premier League title win in 2024/25.

The 23-year-old hasn’t always been at his consistent best for the Reds this term - but Arne Slot cannot afford to rotate him owing to a lack of senior options.

The Liverpool head coach tends to stick with his tried-and-tested midfielders - but that becomes a problem when certain individuals underperform.

That has been the case for Alexis Mac Allister this season - as well as Gravenberch with the Dutchman suffering in the midweek defeat against Wolves.

Slot opted to substitute his compatriot at half-time having seen his holding midfielder booked. But the 47-year-old resisted the temptation to drop Gravenberch for the FA Cup fifth-round tie against the same opposition on Friday night.

Nyoni impresses versus Wolves

Gravenberch held on to his place in the lineup as Slot named a very experienced XI for the Wolves game. And Liverpool got what they needed; progressing to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup courtesy of a 3-1 win.

But towards the latter stages of the game Slot may well have been convinced that there IS a player on the books capable of stepping into Gravenberch’s role if needs be.

Trey Nyoni, 19, appeared off the bench for the final 12 minutes or so at Molineux once Mac Allister was injured.

And against Premier League opposition the young English midfielder scarcely put a foot wrong. He completed eight of eight passes attempted, as well as one dribble, and contributed in a defensive sense with successful blocks and interceptions.

Nyoni won three of his three ground duels for good measure.

The teenager’s performance had fans across social media singing his praises - and it should serve as a useful reminder to Slot of his capabilities.

Nyoni shows he can be trusted

He was expected to step into the first-team reckoning more often this season - and finally has the opportunity now with Wataru Endo injured and James McConnell as well as Stefan Bajcetic not yet in the picture.

Nyoni has only played a total of around six minutes of Premier League action this term across three substitute outings. He’s been used more in the cups - starting twice in the EFL Cup - and appearing in each of Liverpool’s three FA Cup games from the bench.

Slot has also given Nyoni a few minutes in the Champions League too - but none of it has been enough for him to truly make his mark.

That perception should change after his assured display on Friday night.

Slot may realise that he’s got a player with the pedigree and potential to step up and give him another rotation option.

It’s unlikely that chance will come in the Champions League next week against Galatasaray but the young midfielder - under contract to 2030 - has demonstrated he is worth of more game time.

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