Why Trey Nyoni and Harvey Elliott are absent for Liverpool’s Champions League clash with AC Milan

AC Milan vs. Liverpool promises to be an exciting matchup as Arne Slot, Liverpool’s new manager, has assembled a notably strong squad for their opening UEFA Champions League encounter. Eager to begin his European campaign with a victory, Slot has made tactical adjustments to the lineup, showcasing his intent to make an impact in this prestigious tournament.

Slot has implemented several changes from the team that lost to Nottingham Forest last weekend. Notably, Kostas Tsimikas replaces Andy Robertson on the left side, bringing fresh energy, while Cody Gakpo steps in for Luis Diaz to invigorate the attack. These adjustments reflect Slot’s strategy of merging stability with renewed vigor as Liverpool embarks on their European journey. Previously, Slot had used the same starting XI in the first four matches of the season, making these alterations a significant tactical shift.

One key absence is Harvey Elliott, a promising young talent who had been eager for his opportunity after not starting in the season’s opening games. Elliott suffered a fractured ankle while playing for the England under-21 team and is expected to be sidelined for at least a month. This injury is particularly disappointing for both him and Liverpool, as he had demonstrated considerable potential last season with 53 appearances. His performances in the Europa League were particularly notable, starting eight of their ten matches before the team’s exit in the quarter-finals to Atalanta. Elliott’s absence from the Champions League squad is a setback, given his previous nine appearances and two goals in the tournament.

Additionally, young players James McConnell and Jayden Danns will also miss this matchday. Both have shown promise in Liverpool’s youth system but will not participate in the Champions League opener. Fans were also looking forward to seeing Trey Nyoni, who has been impressing in the youth ranks and was recently photographed in a Liverpool Champions League kit. However, Nyoni was not included among the substitutes and instead captained the Liverpool U19 team in their UEFA Youth League match against AC Milan’s U19 squad, which ended in a scoreless draw. He faced a notable opponent in Maximilian Ibrahimović, son of Zlatan Ibrahimović, as the Italians largely controlled the match.

This fixture carries historical significance for Liverpool, particularly regarding their past encounters with AC Milan in the Champions League. Since their infamous defeat to Milan in the 2007 final, the teams have only faced each other twice in competitive play. These meetings took place during the 2021/22 group stage, where Liverpool excelled in what was termed the “group of death.” This group also featured strong sides like Porto and Atletico Madrid, but Liverpool triumphed, topping the group with critical victories over Milan. A memorable 2-1 win at the San Siro highlighted contributions from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi, as well as lesser-known players like Nat Phillips, Tyler Morton, and Takumi Minamino. This match exemplifies Liverpool’s resilience in Europe, even with a somewhat rotated squad.

As Liverpool and AC Milan prepare to rekindle their rivalry, fans are eager to see how Slot’s refreshed side performs against the Italian giants. The absence of key players like Harvey Elliott, combined with the introduction of new faces such as Tsimikas and Gakpo, adds further intrigue to this match. Both teams will be looking to make a strong start in the Champions League, with Liverpool aiming to solidify their status in a tournament of immense importance to them.