‘Breath of fresh air’ Liverpool star leaves Andoni Iraola with brutal decision after LASK win
Liverpool fans think Andoni Iraola may be forced to drop a senior first-team player after watching a youngster’s impressive showing in the 6-3 win over LASK.
Liverpool made light work of the Austrian side on Wednesday (October 14), with several players putting in excellent performances at the Raiffeisen Arena.
Iraola was without injured players Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexander Isak, while captain Virgil van Dijk was rested and dropped to the bench. Kostas Tsimikas was given the honour of captaining the side, to the surprise of a few.
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Despite some fans calling out the decision, the Greek silenced his critics with an assist for Ronald Araújo’s header, which opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Lewis Koumas then assisted Bradley Barcola, who scored his first goal since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain.
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It didn’t take long for Barcola to double his tally, with the French international finishing Wirtz’s clever ball before half-time.
Liverpool added a fourth in the 51st minute, with Jeremie Frimpong connecting with Tsimikas’ cross.
The home side pulled one back in the 63rd minute when Robert Ljubicic finished from close range after Liverpool failed to stop a LASK attack. Barcola netted his third and Liverpool’s fifth when he finished Frimpong’s cutback from close range in the 66th minute. Koumas made it six on 72 minutes, with Frimpong providing another assist.
The scoring didn't stop there, with Florian Flecker netting LASK's second with 16 minutes left before scoring again to make it 6-3 three minutes later.
Trey Nyoni gives Andoni Iraola a selection headache
Even though a number of Liverpool players impressed, Trey Nyoni arguably received the most praise for his composed showing in the middle of the park. The teenager filled in for usual starter Alexis Mac Allister and may have given Iraola a major decision to make ahead of the weekend’s trip to face Brentford.
On social media, one fan commented: “Trey Nyoni gives Iraola so many options. His composure when receiving the ball allows the team to play a 4-3-3 with both 8s pushing higher. Press him tight, and he’s got that mini-Gravenberch dribble to escape. Stand off him and he dictates the tempo, connects play and orchestrates everything. There are so many layers to his unbelievable talent.”
Another added: “The difference Nyoni makes to our build-up is insane. Start him every week. The next step is backing Iraola with new FBs next window, but he also needs to coach better patterns when we have the ball.”
A third claimed: “Nyoni needs to be playing more regularly for us as well. The composure he shows for someone with so little experience is insane.”
A fourth wrote: “Trey Nyoni will go under the radar there, but he does not play like a 19-year-old. You’d think he was an experienced pro. He just cruises around the pitch and makes everything look easy. Quality player.”
A fifth said: “Nyoni needs to be given a chance in the league. He’s class on the ball and seems to love sitting deep, allowing others to push on.”
A sixth concluded: “Trey Nyoni certainly looks at home in that midfield with Ryan Gravenberch. He’s carrying himself like an experienced central midfielder, already controlling the tempo. Both definitely deserve more game time together.”
Another explained: “Every single one of them is grafting. Rio & Koumas doing brilliantly. Nyoni a breath of fresh air in the middle with his composure. Wirtz & Barcola link-up play has been immense. More of that, please lads.”
Topics: Champions League, Football News, Premier League
Luke Davies