Liverpool will be without Dominik Szoboszlai this weekend against Brighton, with Andoni Iraola talking up Ryan Gravenberch's versatility during his pre-match press conference

Liverpool will not take any chances with Dominik Szoboszlai's injury, Andoni Iraola said. And while the Hungarian won't be out for much longer, it will offer the chance for Ryan Gravenberch to step up.

That opportunity is something that the Liverpool ace needs, in truth. Gravenberch signed a new contract in March, during a period in which he had struggled, but even since then, the Dutchman has rarely shown his true quality. Losing his place at the start of the Iraola era, he is still finding his feet again.

Against Manchester City, before he was sent off for collecting a second yellow card, Gravenberch was excellent. That kind of performance was akin to what he produced the season before last.

But prior to that, it had been some time since Gravenberch showed anything like his true potential. At Newcastle, for instance, he was dragged off after being run ragged.

Intriguingly, Iroala said that he views Gravenberch primarily as a number eight as he previewed this weekend's visit of Brighton. Given that — Wataru Endo aside — he doesn't have a natural number six, though, he is going to have to persist.

Against Manchester City, Gravenberch was back to gliding past opponents on that occasion, completing every single dribble he attempted, setting the tempo in the center.

He wasn't really playing as a number eight on that occasion, but like so much of his best work in that role, he is able to drift forwards.

With the right balance around him, Gravenberch vacating the deepest-lying role is not an issue.

"I was very happy for him because he’s had some difficult moments this season," Iraola said after that performance.

"He hasn’t played as much as he would’ve wanted, but in a big game [against Man City], to perform like he did, he was full of confidence and it’s encouraging to see."

Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kits

Liverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.

Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.

Last year, though he was far from the only one, Gravenberch really struggled. He was handed a new contract, however, on the basis of how he had played before.

While that has never been as a number six in a traditional sense, if he starts alongside Alexis Mac Allister this weekend, he will need more of the same against a high-flying team dripping with confidence.

Mac Allister has stepped up in recent weeks, transforming himself after a dire previous campaign. How Iraola could do with a similar U-turn from the man likely to be alongside him against Brighton too.