Iraola told Liverpool already have £100m solution to big midfield issue

Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai scored the goals that secured Liverpool’s passage to the fourth round of the League Cup with the win over Spurs at Anfield.

Iraola named Nyoni in Liverpool’s starting line-up to face Tottenham, where he was alongside Mac Allister and James McConnell for the first half, and went on to be substituted just after the hour mark.

Former Liverpool star Jamie Redknapp has praised Nyoni’s performance for the Reds against Tottenham, and why he thinks the 19-year-old has a bright future ahead in a deeper midfield role.

“I thought he [Nyoni] was excellent in that first half, but he’s got a lot to learn in that area, it’s a specialised position,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.

“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.”

Liverpool were linked with a host of midfielders during the summer transfer window, including Bournemouth star Alex Scott, who Iraola coached during his time with the Cherries.

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Reports in recent weeks have claimed that Scott is valued by Bournemouth at around £100million, and was linked with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United in the summer.

Liverpool academy graduate and former Everton star Conor Coady was alongside Redknapp for Sky Sports’ coverage, and believes Nyoni could follow in Scott’s footsteps under Iraola’s coaching.

“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 buy someone, he could become that if he learns and takes on everything that Andoni Iraola is trying to do.”