Currently, everyone expects Liverpool to add at least one more defender. The pre -season period has revealed the only weakness, and also the “Achilles heel” of this squad.
During most of the summer of 2025, coach Arne Slot was forced to use patchwork options in the center -back position, most notably Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.
With Jarell Quanusah leaving Anfield, Joe Gomez was injured, Liverpool had only two experienced central defenders in the squad – an irreversible situation if he wanted to compete in the Premier League and the Champions League.
Fans hope that sports director Richard Hughes will speed up the schedule of one of the club goals, maybe Marc Guhi or Giovanni Leoni. However, in the meantime, the pre -season period has launched a new center -back within The Reds, and he impressed when he was tested in this position.
It was Trey Nyoni. Liverpool recruited him in 2023 as a defensive midfielder, although before in the youth training furnace, Nyoni used to kick the center -back. In Liverpool, even at the academy level, Nyoni has never been used in that position, but always playing in midfield – where his forte is clear.
Therefore, it is interesting to see Nyoni in the center of the center -back against Bilbao. Initially, there was still a little concern about whether Nyoni could meet the strict requirements of this position, but he erased all doubts after only the first few minutes.
The 18 -year -old talent has a firm performance, led the match about the number of times the ball (4) and won a few ball disputes. Despite the slender body, Nyoni handled very well in collision situations, reading a sharp match with 4 cutting phases, and an excellent intervention situation when Bilbao escaped down to face the goal – turning a 2 -phase 2 to almost 2 when he had to fight both the opponent and goalkeeper Freddie Woodman in the back.
The way Nyoni handled the situation certainly caused Slot coach to think. Currently, the Liverpool midfielder is too cramped, making the way to Nyoni's first team to become difficult. But what if you not only play in midfield but also can kick the center -back? What if Nyoni really became Liverpool's “new center -back”?
Based on this match, this is clearly a feasible option. If so, the opportunity for Nyoni to participate more in the first team will open immediately. Of course, Liverpool still needs another center -back, like Guehi, but Nyoni has proven that he can add depth to this position and become one of the central defenders that Liverpool is lacking seriously.
