“Hugely promising” – Liverpool have a “flourishing” teenager who the senior stars love
Liverpool handed Chelsea a painful penalty defeat on Wednesday, but the evening also gave Andoni Iraola fresh encouragement about the future.
The Reds reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw at Anfield was followed by a 6-5 shootout victory, with Bournemouth set to visit in the next round.
Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead from the spot in the 40th minute after Ryan Gravenberch fouled Moisés Caicedo, but Liverpool’s response took just three minutes.
Wesley Fofana handled at a corner and Cody Gakpo punished him, bringing the home side level before the interval.
Both goalkeepers then had work to do, as Mike Penders denied both Ronald Araújo and Bradley Barcola, while Giorgi Mamardashvili kept out Marco Palestra as Chelsea threatened to settle the tie late on.
Neither team could find a second goal, and a shootout in front of the Kop offered several opportunities to finish the job.
|
Total |
Liverpool |
Chelsea |
|---|---|---|
|
Goals |
1 |
1 |
|
Penalty shootout |
6 |
5 |
|
Possession |
51.7% |
48.3% |
|
Total shots |
10 |
11 |
|
Shots on target |
4 |
4 |
|
Big chances missed |
3 |
1 |
|
Corners |
7 |
5 |
|
Accurate passes |
347 |
334 |
|
Passing accuracy |
78.7% |
79.1% |
|
Goalkeeper saves |
3 |
3 |
|
Fouls committed |
12 |
9 |
|
Yellow cards |
2 |
2 |
|
Red cards |
0 |
0 |
Valentín Barco struck the post before Kostas Tsimikas wasted Liverpool’s chance to win it. Penders later saved from Gravenberch, only for Mamardashvili to stop Emegha from taking Chelsea through.
Joe Gomez then delivered from the spot and Fofana fired over, finally allowing Anfield to celebrate after an evening that had tested the nerves.
Iraola had trusted youngsters alongside some of his senior players, with Lewis Koumas, James McConnell, Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni all starting.
Iraola was pleased with how his young players handled the occasion against Chelsea’s more experienced side.
Getting through mattered, particularly with Arsenal visiting on Sunday, but there was value in giving those players responsibility in a match where mistakes could end Liverpool’s cup run.
Nyoni made the most of his opportunity, and supporters voted him Liverpool’s player of the match, recognising a performance that helped the hosts compete against Chelsea’s experienced midfield.
Ngumoha, who has stolen most of the headlines in terms of Liverpool youngsters, even lavished praise on his young teammate, saying the ‘sky is the limit’ for him after an impressive display against the Blues.
Henry Winter hails Trey Nyoni’s “hugely promising future” after Chelsea display
His willingness to receive possession in difficult areas also caught the attention of journalist Henry Winter, who praised both his display and the direction of his development.
Writing on X, Winter lavished the teenager with praise, saying Liverpool’s senior stars clearly trust him.
“Another very promising performance from Trey Nyoni,” said Winter.
“Nurtured by Leicester, now flourishing at Liverpool. Unfazed facing Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia of Chelsea last night. 19-year-old midfielder, impressing at 6 (can play 8), and clearly trusted by team-mates to take the ball under pressure.
“Kept taking up intelligent positions, occasionally splitting centre-backs or dropping into space for a pass from Virgil van Dijk. Composed distribution encouraged further by Andoni Iraola, who wants Nyoni to be progressive in his passing, picking out the forwards when opportunity shows.
“Nyoni’s qualities also include balance, press-resistance and fearlessness. Some well-timed interventions, including on Morgan Rogers, then turning away with the ball from Lavia. Dummy to deceive Valentin Barco.
“Impressed in pre-season, developing well under Iraola, good alternative to Ryan Gravenberch when required. Also progressing through England age-groups: 16s, 17s, 18s, 19s, 20s and called into 21s earlier this month. Nyoni only 19, still developing and will learn so much around Van Dijk and others. Hugely promising future.”
That is the sort of progress Liverpool will want to keep encouraging. Nyoni has senior teammates to learn from, and a manager prepared to trust him against strong opposition.
Wednesday gave him another valuable test, and his response offered plenty of reason for optimism.
