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A January loan move for Rio Ngumoha looks unlikely, although Liverpool might be more willing to let Trey Nyoni head out during the New Year.
The young duo have become regular features of Arne Slot’s first-team squad, with Ngumoha in particular impressing after a superb pre-season. Nyoni has had to be more patient for his opportunities, with his only first-team appearances coming in the Carabao Cup this season.
The pair have enhanced their reputations over the international break after featuring in all three of England U19s’ games over the past week - Nyoni actually started all three wins over Lithuania, Latvia and Scotland. As they return to Merseyside though, Liverpool faces a big decision on their future.
With both players regularly named in Slot’s senior squads, they have rarely featured for the academy’s sides this season. Ngumoha hasn’t made a single appearance for the club’s youth teams, while Nyoni has played just once for the U21s in the league so far.
That has opened up a conversation about what their next steps should be, and how Liverpool can get them more game time, especially now with the senior side out of the Carabao Cup.
The potential for them to head out on loan in January has been discussed in some quarters, although according to The Athletic, that’s an option that looks unlikely for Ngumoha.
Liverpool is said to believe that the 17-year-old will benefit from being around the first-team on a day-to-day basis, and is eager for him to develop in that way. It’s also suggested that Slot has not let him drop down to play for the U21s as it would mean him missing three days of first-team training sessions.
A temporary move for Nyoni might be more likely though, with the report claiming that a number of clubs across the UK and in Europe are interested in taking him on loan.
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Liverpool is said to be willing to listen should a suitable opportunity arise, although no decision has yet been made on his short-term future, with any loan depending on the fitness and form of the club’s senior midfielders.
Despite their young ages, it’s clear to see how highly rated both Ngumoha and Nyoni are rated at Liverpool, with the club having decided against signing a direct replacement for Luis Diaz during the summer, fearing it could block the former’s pathway.
Likewise, it’s suggested that there were opportunities for the club to strengthen its midfield during the same window, although that was also shelved over concerns of restricting Nyoni’s development.
U21s boss Rob Page opened up on the difficult balancing act Liverpool now faces with Nyoni in particular, with the 18-year-old not getting much game time in the senior side, but also not getting the opportunity to drop down to the academy sides.
"He is in a difficult space right now, and it's about keeping him confident and managing his expectations of his involvement in the first team,” Page said earlier this month.
"But it is a difficult space for a young player. He is still a young lad, don't forget, and he's had involvement in the first team from an early age.
"Now it's about managing his minutes, giving him game time, but also maintaining the standards he has set as well. If you ask him, he's probably fallen a bit below that for whatever reason but we will get him back on track. He is a talented, talented footballer."
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