ZIMBABWE-ELIGIBLE Liverpool midfielder Trey Nyoni has been tipped to enjoy a breakthrough English Premier League (EPL) campaign after an outstanding pre-season that has enhanced his reputation as one of English football's brightest young talents.
The 19-year-old, whose parents hail from Gwanda, has been named by the BBC among the 20 young players expected to shine in the 2026/27 Premier League season, with one prospect selected from each top-flight club.
Nyoni features alongside Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman, Chelsea striker Dastan Satpaev, Coventry City's Kai Andrews, Manchester City's Ryan McAidoo and Manchester United forward Shea Lacey on the prestigious list.
BBC football reporter Aadam Patel believes Nyoni is finally ready to establish himself in Liverpool's first team after catching the eye under new head coach Andoni Iraola.
"Given last season was Rio Ngumoha's breakthrough year and the 17-year-old is expected to play a much more prominent role this season, the focus must go on Trey Nyoni, who has been one of the standouts of Liverpool's pre-season," Patel wrote.
Although Nyoni was regarded as one of the players capable of breaking into the first team under former manager Arne Slot, opportunities were limited, with the midfielder playing just 229 minutes during the 2025/26 campaign.
"With that in mind, the chances of the midfielder getting more game time this season have definitely increased.
"Nyoni has been linked with a loan move this summer but on these showings, the midfielder will surely stay and get more minutes for Liverpool this season," Patel added.
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Nyoni's influence was evident during Sunday's pre-season clash against Leeds United. He produced a superb pass to Jeremie Frimpong, who squared the ball for Florian Wirtz to score Liverpool's second goal.
Liverpool led 2-0 when Nyoni was substituted at half-time, but the Reds collapsed after his departure and eventually lost 4-2, highlighting the teenager's growing influence on the side.
Iraola has repeatedly praised Nyoni's maturity and composure.
"Trey is very good on the ball, very calm, he reads the situations well," the Liverpool coach told Liverpool TV after the win over Wrexham.
"He is always confident on the ball so we encourage him.
"At the end he is a midfielder who has to ask for the ball sometimes under pressure — and he doesn't feel this pressure. Even when he has one opponent quite close, he asks for that ball and he is confident. He doesn't rush. For me that is very valuable."
Despite the growing hype, Nyoni remains grounded.
Reflecting on Liverpool's pre-season tour of the United States, he admitted the team was still adapting to Iraola's methods.
"At the start, the first game was good, obviously we won, but we knew we could do better. In the second game, we played a lot better.
"Today, I think in the first half we played really well. In the second half, we lost our way a bit. But we're still learning the system, so we'll keep progressing."
The teenager also highlighted the benefits of spending time together under the club's new management.
"There are a few new guys and obviously a new manager as well, so I feel like the bond of being there together is the core at the end of the day. It's been a good tour."
Nyoni added that he was determined to keep improving.
"I still need to keep improving, keep developing each game but so far it's been all right."
Nyoni joined Liverpool from Leicester City in 2023 and has risen rapidly through the club's ranks, making his senior debut at just 16 years old.
Although he is eligible to represent Zimbabwe through his family roots, the England youth international has continued to keep his international options open while pursuing his ambition of playing for England.
With his stock continuing to rise at one of the world's biggest clubs, the prospect of Nyoni eventually wearing the Warriors jersey appears increasingly remote, while a senior England call-up looks ever more realistic.
