A New Opportunity for Liverpool’s Zimbabwean Talents

For Liverpool's final Champions League group matchup against PSV Eindhoven, coach Arne Slot has named 2 Zimbabwean players, Trey Nyoni and Isaac Mabaya. Slot has rotated his team since securing qualification, taking important players like Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah off.

Nyoni made history by becoming Liverpool’s youngest ever European debutant at 17 years and 7 months, surpassing Phil Charnock’s 1992 record. The midfielder, who joined from Leicester City in 2023, is also the club’s fifth-youngest debutant in all competitions.

Mabaya, 18, has been named on the bench, marking another step in his rise at Liverpool. Born in Preston to Zimbabwean parents, he joined the club’s academy at 6 and signed his first professional contract in 2021. Though he has yet to make his senior debut, he previously featured in Liverpool’s 2022 pre-season tour.

Mabaya followed Trent Alexander-Arnold's route, starting as midfielder before switching to right back. Liverpool's coaching staff has praised his physical traits and attacking skill.

Nyoni and Mabaya are getting closer to playing for the first squad with this most recent call up, displaying Zimbabwean quality on the European scene.