KINDERGARTEN KOP

. . . Nyoni is the best 16-year-old midfielder in England

THE sight of Zimbabwean teenager Trey Nyoni, and a host of his young Liverpool teammates stars, walking up the famous Wembley steps on Sunday resembled a queue of kids waiting for their school lunch.

Well, the reality of that this was a collection of new Liverpool heroes about to collect a Carabao Cup medal after etching their names into folklore.

Five of the XI that finished the win over Chelsea were aged 21 or under, while only match-winner Virgil van Dijk would be guaranteed a place in Liverpool’s best team if Jurgen Klopp had a fully fit squad.

They are now being dubbed the Kindergarten Kop and many were again set to play in last night’s FA Cup clash against Southampton.

Nyoni is now widely acknowledged as the best midfielder, among 16-year-olds, in England.

The midfielder was set to make his debut last night after being signed from Leicester in the summer.

He was spotted by head of academy recruitment Matt Newberry in a talent-spotting drive that is now much more locally-focused after Brexit rules on signing overseas kids.

Nyoni was born in England in 2007, two years after Liverpool won the 2005 Champions League in Istanbul, but has Zimbabwean parents.

The Reds beat top clubs such as Manchester United to his signature and he is described as the best midfielder of his age group in England.

HARVEY ELLIOTT ( 20)

Elliott is the most established of Liverpool’s young prospects, having been a part of the first team squad for a number of years.

Despite being born in Chertsey, Surrey, Elliott grew up a Liverpool fan, but he was picked up by QPR’s academy initially after being knocked back by Chelsea due to concerns over his size.

He went on to join Fulham, making his senior debut as a 15-year-old in 2018, and did enough to convince Liverpool that he was one for the future.

The Reds signed him for an undisclosed fee in 2019 just three months after his 16th birthday, and he has since made over 100 appearances for the club.

Elliott suffered an ankle dislocation-fracture in 2021 during a league clash with Leeds, and has had to remain patient at Anfield, largely due to Liverpool having Mohamed Salah playing on the right wing.*