Liverpool could be without Ryan Gravenberch for Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Eintracht Frankfurt after the Dutch midfielder suffered an ankle problem during Sunday’s demoralising 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United.
The Reds’ nightmare run continued at Anfield as Harry Maguire rose highest to head home a late winner, marking Liverpool’s fourth consecutive loss across all competitions. With the team struggling for form and confidence, any potential injury to a key starter like Gravenberch adds another layer of concern for manager Arne Slot.
Gravenberch went to ground midway through the second half following a challenge from United forward Bryan Mbeumo. While he initially continued playing, the 22-year-old was soon substituted, and Slot confirmed after the game that the midfielder’s ankle could put him in doubt for the midweek trip to Germany.
“He had to come off because he twisted his ankle, so he’s an injury concern,” Slot said. “We have to wait and see tomorrow.”
The setback comes at a difficult time for Liverpool, who have already had to manage a compressed schedule. Slot noted the challenge of keeping the squad fresh with multiple games in quick succession.
“We have to play in two games again because we have to play three games in seven days, so there’s not a lot of time for players to recover. But the good news is we have more than one good midfielder,” he added.
Gravenberch has not been at his absolute best in recent matches, but he remains a crucial component of Liverpool’s starting XI. Losing him, even temporarily, represents a significant blow for a team already struggling for rhythm and cohesion. If the injury is minor, a short rest could even work in the midfielder’s favor, giving him a chance to recharge amid a punishing schedule.
Liverpool may need to adapt quickly if Gravenberch is ruled out. Curtis Jones, who looked lively against Manchester United, could benefit from the Dutchman’s absence. The Scouser has yet to cement a regular place in the squad this season, but circumstances may force Slot to give him a more prominent role.
Having to throw Jones in out of necessity could end up being a positive for the Reds, Liverpool’s problems this season have often required solutions from unlikely or accidental sources, and Jones could be one of those.
The Reds’ midfield issues are compounded by Wataru Endo’s continued absence. The Japan skipper failed to recover from the hamstring problem he sustained during the defeat to Chelsea and missed Liverpool’s recent international duty. With both Endo and potentially Gravenberch unavailable, Slot will be under pressure to find the right balance in midfield ahead of the critical Champions League fixture.
Gravenberch will undergo further tests on Monday to determine whether he can travel with the squad to Germany. Until then, Liverpool fans will be left anxious about the fitness of one of their most influential midfielders.
With the team’s recent struggles in form, fitness, and defensive stability, any disruption in the core of the squad could have a significant impact on their performance. Slot will hope that if changes are forced, they might bring a silver lining, but the Reds’ upcoming midweek clash in Frankfurt now looms as a major test of both squad depth and resilience.
