Nyoni's Carabao Cup display prompts pundits to call off £100m Alex Scott pursuit

Trey Nyoni’s commanding midfield display in Liverpool’s 3-1 Carabao Cup third-round victory over Tottenham Hotspur has convinced pundits Jamie Redknapp and Conor Coady that the 19-year-old could render a costly pursuit of Alex Scott unnecessary.

Nyoni started alongside Alexis Mac Allister and James McConnell in a midfield three at Anfield, contributing meaningfully before being withdrawn around the hour mark. Goals from Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai sealed the win for Andoni Iraola’s side.

Redknapp, speaking after the match, was effusive in his praise but also pointed to the developmental work still ahead for the Zimbabwean teenager. “I thought he was excellent in that first half, but he’s got a lot to learn in that area — it’s a specialised position,” Redknapp said. “He did himself no harm whatsoever. Playing forward, getting the ball into good areas, comfortable on the ball. He’s just a really good footballer who just sees the picture. He’s been a No.10 as a kid, so now he’s got to play in that slightly different role where he’s got to back people up. And he’s got to always think that the worst is going to happen on a football field. If he does that, he’s going to go a long way.”

Former Everton and England defender Conor Coady went further, drawing a direct comparison between Nyoni’s trajectory and that of Bournemouth’s Alex Scott — a player Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United were all linked with over the summer. Bournemouth are reported to value Scott at approximately £100 million.

“We see someone like a Trey Nyoni — I’m hoping he goes on and has an incredible Liverpool career, because I really rate him that highly,” Coady said. “He could become that [next Alex Scott], rather than going out and buying someone. He could become that if he learns and takes on everything that Andoni Iraola is trying to do.”

The connection to Iraola is notable: the Liverpool head coach managed Scott during his time at Bournemouth, and is considered well-placed to fast-track Nyoni’s development in a similar mould. Liverpool opted against signing a new midfielder in the summer window despite being linked with several options, and Tuesday’s result suggests Iraola may be content to nurture what he already has at the club.