17 Jul 2026 06:24:02
I don’t think enough consideration is being given to what Iraola might be able to do with some of younger players.
He has a track record of improving very young players and giving them a chance.
I know the spotlight on anything he does will be greater here than a Bournemouth but I do wonder whether the likes of a Nyoni might appear more than we’re all assuming and improve rapidly.
Rio is the obvious one who you’d expect to benefit but I’ve a feeling Iraola will unearth a few more.
17 Jul 2026 07:55:29
I really like Nyoni. When you see many young players get cameos, they look flustered and their striking technique looks unrefined. Nyoni immediately looked composed and his passing looked as crisp as a seasoned professional. He also has great pass appreciation, which is an underrated skill, which makes it much easier for team mates to immediately get the ball out their feet or move forward with it.
People obsess over pass completion or forward passing, but the ability to not play a team mate into trouble is something most English midfielders lack massively.
He reminds me of Fabregas, but he needs to knuckle down now. Being naturally gifted is only one part of making it as a professional footballer.
{Ed001's Note - I really don't know what you have watched.}
17 Jul 2026 08:26:01
Fabregas was a Spain international at Nyoni's age, in a generation of world class Spanish midfielders. Hopefully Nyoni will get some minutes and be as good as you say, MK, but Fabregas comparisons right now are a bit (trying to be diplomatic) optimistic.
17 Jul 2026 08:33:01
I agree, MK. The only thing holding Nyoni back is his physique. I think he could be a fantastic player for us this season if he's put on a bit of muscle over the summer.
17 Jul 2026 09:30:43
Nobody here has seen Nynoi often enough for long enough to make an accurate assessment of his abilities or attributes. Unless, of course, you have been following the reserve team games. I've seen cameos of him in the odd sub appearances he was afforded by Slot last season.
Average Joe, I would suggest, based on what I have seen. Again, like Rio, he needs to prove his worth, and needs to do it prior to being awarded a first team place.
17 Jul 2026 09:36:00
"He reminds me of Fabregas."
Nah, Mks. This ain't it.
17 Jul 2026 08:36:32
Agree with Ed1 not seen anything from nyoni, seems lost every time I've seen him play
17 Jul 2026 10:06:20
I mean, obviously, I mean, Nyoni reminds me of Fabregas in passing style and not in overall level, but I thought that would've gone without saying! Apparently not.
{Ed001's Note - still don't see it.}
17 Jul 2026 10:12:03
To clarify, I've seen him play in every pre-season appearance last summer and a lot of the youth games over the last 2 years. I'm a monthly subscriber to the club's All Red TV channel, and you can watch a lot of the youth games on there as well as every pre-season game.
Don't assume everyone has the same level of ignorance, is all I would say.
That's not me criticising people who aren't as obsessed as me, just me pointing out that just because you've seen very little of him, doesn't mean I haven't seen a fair bit. Nyoni looks like a Prem player in a League 2 team when he plays at academy level.
17 Jul 2026 10:24:32
The step up from Youth level to Prem/ECL level is astronomical though, MK. It isn't an indication of what he can do in the big leagues.
People can only judge that from the cameos he's given and I haven't seen anything to get excited about, barely notice he's on the pitch really.
There are of course slow burner exceptions, but generally when a truly elite kid gets a chance, you're watching him thinking "Where the f*** did this kid come from?"
That's not Nyoni for me, but I think this year will be make or break for him at Liverpool. Would love to be proved wrong.
17 Jul 2026 10:25:08
I'm happy to be ignorant enough to not see the similarities between Nyoni and Fabregas.
But I never saw Fabregas play at academy level. I rated Fabregas very highly and I'd be delighted if Nyoni gets anywhere near his levels.
I won't be disappointed when he doesn't though. ?
17 Jul 2026 10:25:31
It's exciting but perhaps also noteworthy to dampen expectations a tad.
It's a big difference being a youngster proving yourself at Bournemouth versus at Liverpool.
We only see the positive bits, but not all the downs and dry spells, as well as long periods without wins.
That won't be acceptable here.
17 Jul 2026 11:25:55
I think it comes too easily for him in youth/reserve teams and he's not being pushed.
Needs minutes with the first team, but at the moment he looks a bit crest-fallen instead of fiercely determined.
If you haven't got the desire, you won't make it.
17 Jul 2026 15:11:49
My take on Nyoni... He isn't good enough and will be playing elsewhere in 2 years time.