Liverpool star may never recover from Andoni Iraola call, reckons Jamie Carragher | Football

Andoni Iraola has made a bold move by start Trey Nyoni for Liverpool against Arsenal on Sunday, a decision which could do serious damage to Ryan Gravenberch, believes Jamie Carragher.

19-year-old Nyoni has been handed a first Premier League start and it comes in a huge clash at Anfield.

The midfielder has already made 20 appearances for the Reds, 14 of which have come this season and he has already earned a starting place in the Champions League.

It is a huge opportunity for the exciting talent, but Carragher sees it as a ‘mighty blow’ for Gravenberch who has been left on the bench while Nyoni comes into the starting XI.

Dominik Szoboszlai is also on the bench, but he is returning from injury, while Iraola appears to have just chosen the teenager over the Dutchman.

Carragher told Sky Sports: ”The first time as a youngster if you’re ever picked ahead of an established player…I always remember it was Michael Thomas, central midfield, the manager Roy Evans putting me in…It’s always difficult for the senior player to ever recover from that.

‘Not that he cant come back, but, “I’ve got more trust in a 19 year old kid who’s only getting better and his career is going one way.” I think that’ll be a mighty blow for Gravenberch.’

Arsenal legend Ian Wright feels the selection shows that Iraola must rate Nyoni extremely highly and will have been blown away by him in training to give him this vote of confidence.

‘It’s obviously not just on his games,’ said Wright of the teenager’s selection. ‘Can you imagine how good he must be in training for him to go, “I’m going to put him in.”

‘It’s brilliant he’s got a manager that says, “In this game, the size of this game, I’m going to put him in this game.”

Explaining his selection, Iraola told Sky Sports: ‘It’s not about me, it’s about Trey. He has shown that he ahs the level. He has been very good on the ball for us, very good without the ball. He understands the game. Obviously it’s a big challenge for him, but we trust him 100 per cent.

‘He covers a lot of space and he’s aggressive without he ball, he’s calm in possession and he’s good in communicating with his teammates.’

Liverpool full-back Milos Kerkez said of the teenager’s talents: ‘Works really hard.

‘Obivosuly he’s young, but a really hard worker, also shows on the pitch, quality on the ball, can defend, can attack, he’s good on the ball.

‘Everyone’s going to help him today on the pitch to feel comfy.’

Gravenberch and Nyoni started together against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday as the Reds progressed on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Alexis Mac Allister has come back into the starting XI alongside the teenager behind Florian Wirtz.

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