Rio Ngumoha delivers official message after Liverpool transfer decision
Rio Ngumoha has heaped praise on Liverpool team-mate Trey Nyoni following his eye-catching performance against Chelsea on Wednesday night.
The 19-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Nottingham Forest over the summer, but Liverpool rejected a €36 million (£30m) offer as Nyoni was internally viewed as the replacement for the departed Curtis Jones.
Nyoni thoroughly impressed new boss Andoni Iraola during pre-season and although he is yet to establish himself as a regular in the Premier League, he made his fourth start of the season against Chelsea on Wednesday.
The England U21 international stepped up to the challenge of facing Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia with consummate ease and Ngumoha was keen to express his admiration for his Liverpool team-mate during his post-match interview.
“Trey is top,” Ngumoha admitted (via TEAMtalk). “You guys haven’t even seen him at his very best yet. He definitely has another level to go and he’s only 19.
“The sky is the limit for Trey. I’m really happy he’s getting the minutes to show himself, but also everyone else, how good he is.”
It’s clear that Ngumoha wants Liverpool to keep Nyoni at the club, despite significant transfer interest in his services, and it appears as though that opinion is shared by Iraola.
“I think he has done very well. Really well,” Iraola admitted after his side’s win.
“It’s good for the young players especially to have these experiences in cup competitions, where if you lose, you’re out. We were losing and then drew level. They weren’t involved in the penalty shootout, but they experienced those feelings. They played under pressure against a very good team. And Trey finished physically in a good place, so well done to him.”
Trey Nyoni to stay at Liverpool
Nyoni is regarded as one of the best young midfielders in England and it’s no surprise that his progress is being closely monitored by a host of Premier League clubs.
However, he signed a new long-term contract last summer and with his current deal running until 2030, Liverpool are under no pressure to accept a sale.
Instead, Nyoni is expected to play an increasingly prominent role at Anfield, and there is a chance that he could soon cement his place in Iraola’s preferred starting XI if his form continues.
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