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Liverpool will be without Ryan Gravenberch for the midweek Champions League clash with Fenerbahce, reliable journalist James Pearce has confirmed.
The Reds make the trip to Turkey on Wednesday night, looking to make it four wins out of wins in Europe so far this season.
Writing on X, Pearce said that Gravenberch is out of the Fenerbahce game through injury, having had a heel issue before the weekend defeat to Arsenal:
“Ryan Gravenberch misses Liverpool’s CL trip to Fenerbahce with a heel injury. He was hampered by the problem prior to the weekend – hence why he didn’t come off the bench v Arsenal.
“Liverpool travelling squad: Alisson, Gomez, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Kerkez, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Isak, Mac Allister, Gakpo, Tsimikas, Munoz, Mamardashvili, Woodman, Barcola, Araujo, Nyoni, Chambers, McConnell, Koumas, Ngumoha, Danns.”
Gravenberch was left out of Liverpool’s side to face Arsenal at the expense of Trey Nyoni last weekend, but even if he was fully fit, he didn’t merit playing, with Jamie Carragher discussing Andoni Iraola’s no-nonsense approach:
“He dropped Gravenberch really early, after the first game of the season, away at Newcastle. He’s left [Milos] Kerkez as out, a player who he knows before as well. He’s changed the wingers in and out at different times. What I would say is, I think we all go back to being a young player; the first time as a youngster when you’re ever picked ahead of what you is an established player.
“It’s always difficult, I think, for the senior player to ever recover from that. Not that he can’t come back, but Iraola’s saying he’s got more trust in a 19-year-old kid who’s only getting better and his career is going one way. I think that will be a mighty blow for Gravenberch.”
Gravenberch has a lot of work to do when it comes to winning his place back, with his performances this season not cutting the mustard, lacking defensive nous and consistency.
He is a huge talent, but more substance is required if he wants to become a true Liverpool great in the coming years.