The 19-year-old impressed during Liverpool’s 6-3 Champions League victory over LASK and could be called upon again for Saturday’s trip to Brentford. Ryan Gravenberch is suspended, while Dominik Szoboszlai is a doubt, leaving an opening in midfield for Nyoni.
Asked which player had influenced his style, Nyoni was clear about his choice.
“For me, I always watch players like Thiago. For me, Thiago, yeah, he is the guy!” he said.
Nyoni also dismissed the idea that nerves might affect him as he pushes for more first-team opportunities.
“I don’t feel nervous at all, I don’t get nervous. With all the hard work I have put in to get to this moment and position, no,” he said.
“I just want to show the manager and everyone what I can do, show the fans what I can do. I feel like in games like Wednesday, people have travelled a long way to see us play so I want to give them something back.”
The midfielder credited head coach Andoni Iraola with helping him adapt to a new role and giving him responsibility within the team.
“The manager has given me a lot of trust. He has given me so much responsibility. Ever since he came in, he has tried to make my life easy. He is helping a lot to adapt to the new position I am playing right now. I still have a lot of work to keep improving but right now I feel good,” Nyoni said.
Liverpool’s academy players have made an impact under Iraola, with winger Rio Ngumoha also pushing into the senior side. Iraola praised Ngumoha’s ability to beat defenders one-on-one but said the 18-year-old still had areas to improve, particularly without the ball.
“If you want to put someone one versus one then Rio is one of the best players you would choose because he is difficult to contain,” Iraola said. “There are areas he has to improve, especially without the ball.”
Iraola described Ngumoha’s development as a privilege to witness, given his age and the progress he has already made towards international football.
Forward Lewis Koumas is another young player earning opportunities through his work rate and team play. He said the emergence of the youngsters was raising standards across the squad rather than creating resentment.
“There is a buzz and it gives us all a motivation to keep going. We are getting chances but, ultimately, it is because we are good enough,” Koumas said.
“Trey and Rio are unbelievable and, if you are good enough it doesn’t matter how old you are.”
Koumas also singled out Nyoni’s composure and game management as evidence of his maturity.
“Every time you see them play... look at Trey, how mature he is and how he manages the game. He dictates how the game is going to go. He’s 19! He shows levels all the time.”
Koumas admitted he struggled to sleep after missing a chance against Manchester City, but said he was determined to keep improving as more senior forwards return from injury.
With Liverpool facing Brentford less than three days after the LASK match and another European fixture against Villarreal to follow, Iraola has stressed the need for depth and readiness throughout the squad. Nyoni’s latest performance has given him a strong case to be part of that rotation.