Liverpool midfielder stuck in 'difficult space' as fresh problem considered

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And a thumping loss at home to the Spaniards in the UEFA Youth League exposed an issue for one player in particular.An under-19 side helmed by Rob Page were beaten 4-0 by their Real Madrid counterparts during a chastening afternoon at the Academy in Kirkby, the visitors a goal ahead at the interval before running away with the game in the second half.Trey Nyoni, the 18-year-old midfielder who is skippering Liverpool in the competition this season, was among several players to fail to live up to their usual standard.READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk salutes 'outstanding' Liverpool pair vs Real Madrid as Man City trip loomsREAD MORE: Andy Robertson leads fume against Real Madrid as Ibrahima Konate sends message to Liverpool fansThe teenager also had a tough time when making only his second senior appearance of the campaign in the previous week's 3-0 League Cup exit at home to Crystal Palace.With Nyoni having also been an unused substitute five times for Slot's side, the youngster is in a position, similar to Rio Ngumoha, where his senior requirements mean he isn't gaining as much action as would be preferred at Academy level.Indeed, by playing all 360 minutes so far in the UEFA Youth League, he has more in that competition than every other combined this season at any club level.It is contributing to a tough balancing act. He is still a young lad, don't forget, and he's had involvement in the first team from an early age."Now it's about managing his minutes, giving him game time, but also maintaining the standards he has set as well.

If you ask him, he's probably fallen a bit below that for whatever reason but we will get him back on track. He is a talented, talented footballer."Real Madrid retained their 100% start to the UEFA Youth League with a comprehensive victory against a Liverpool side who nevertheless remain in a good position to qualify for the knockout stages."We knew we were in for a tough game," said Page.

We have two centre-backs who don't play together, it's tough when basically your three forwards are from the U21s and most of the rest are from the U18s and you get one day on the pitch to prepare."You could see in Real Madrid's team, they play together week in week out. But it wasn't just about that - I thought Real's overall game was very, very good."We have seven points from four games.