'Special' prodigy picked in Liverpool's Champions League Squad

Liverpool's proud history of nurturing young talents through the academy and unleashing them into the first team looks set to continue under Arne Slot this season.

Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and current Anfield star Trent Alexander-Arnold are just some of the names that instantly spring to mind when it comes to outstanding examples from the recent past.

Following the announcement of Liverpool’s Champions League squad for the 2024/25 campaign, fans can feel excited about another youngster who is now on the fringes of the senior set-up.

Read more: 'Underrated' Liverpool star nominated for award 

Liverpool find themselves back in Europe's elite competition this season following a one-year hiatus playing in the Europa League. Qualification for this season's Champions League was key and a third-place finish was achieved during the 2023/24 season.

The format for this year's competition is very different. Instead of eight different groups, 36 teams have been placed all together in one group. Slot's men will play against eight different teams - four at home, while the other four will be played away.

The number of points Liverpool gain from these games will then decide the club's fate for the next section of the competition. UEFA explained that the top eight sides in the initial league stage will automatically qualify for the last 16, while teams placed between ninth and 24th place will compete in two-legged play-offs to decide who goes through, while teams placed 25th and below will automatically be eliminated, with no access to the Europa League.

Liverpool’s Champions League opponents were recently announced with the tastiest fixture being a home tie at Anfield against the current kings of Europe, 2023/24 winners Real Madrid. 

Trey Nyoni Named In Squad

Liverpool's squad for the upcoming Champions League games includes all the names you would expect, plus some exciting new ones. Each team is allowed to name a maximum of 25 players in their main ‘List A’ squad, including a minimum of eight places reserved for locally trained or homegrown players.

One player who falls into that category is 17 year old Trey Nyoni and his inclusion will surely excite Liverpool fans.

Nyoni has shown incredible promise both for Liverpool's Under-21s and the first team. Given his debut by Jurgen Klopp against Southampton in the FA Cup last year and described by the German as "special", the youngster then went on to have a phenomenal pre-season this year, impressing hugely against Real Betis and scoring against Sevilla in a 4-1 victory. This got many fans praising the forward's ability and it’s no surprise he has been rewarded with a spot in the Champions League squad.

Nyoni scored for Liverpool Under-21s in their last game against Leicester City, and has since bagged a goal for England Under-18s in a 2-2 draw against Portugal.

Trey Nyoni scoring for England U18's against Portugal. 💎

[@BradleyLFC24v3] pic.twitter.com/89e9KzbTGs

— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) September 4, 2024

Players not on 'List B' include Harvey Elliott, Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley who are eligible, but are instead named in 'List B' due to their ages and club-trained status. Liverpool will be able to register an unlimited amount of players on 'List B' during the campaign and update this before each fixture.

For someone so young, Trey clearly has a strong work rate and drive to succeed as a Liverpool player. Slot has a strong belief in his ability and for Liverpool fans, they will be eager to see what the young England forward can produce this season.

Champions League Squad - A List

Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Chiesa, Diaz, Endo, Gakpo, Gomez, Gravenberch, Hill, Jaros, Jones, Jota, Kelleher, Konate, Mac Allister, Morton, Nallo, Nunez, Nyoni, Robertson, Salah, Szoboszlai, Tsimikas, Van Dijk.

B List includes Bradley, Elliott, Quansah.