Trey Nyoni takes new step for Liverpool as Richard Hughes watches new summer signing
Liverpool began its UEFA Youth League campaign with the U19s seeing out a 0-0 draw against AC Milan today. Barry Lewtas' side battled to earn a point away from home and despite them creating little, it was a decent start to the competition.
Trey Nyoni, 17, was among those to start the match. He captained the team for the first time on his first European appearance, with Kieran Morrison and Trent Kone Doherty, two exciting young Irish forwards, on either flank. Center-back duo Wellity Lucky and Amara Nallo were in good form in front of goalkeeper Kornel Misciur, who made a string of impressive stops to prevent AC Milan goals.
Liverpool came under sustained pressure, particularly in the second half, but Misciur and his defense held firm. Morrison came closest to scoring for the Reds, but a point in their European opener is no bad result.
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Rio Ngumoha replaced Kyle Kelly with around half an hour to play, coming on to make his European debut for Liverpool. The 16-year-old winger came off the bench against Blackburn Rovers over the weekend for his first Reds appearance since signing from Chelsea.
Sporting director Richard Hughes and FSG technical director Pedro Marques were in attendance for the game while Zlatan Ibrahimovic's son Maximilian was in the home team's starting XI, according to the ECHO.
Liverpool.com says: The Youth League has been a brilliant platform for young talents in recent years, with Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott both excelling at that level before going on to play for the senior team in UEFA's main competition, the Champions League.
Nyoni and Ngumoha are just two of those who have a chance of making an appearance in that tournament in the future if they continue to impress. The signs have been really positive with both of those players and there should be much more of a chance to get valuable European experience before the league table phase is concluded.