Andoni Iraola gave a number of fringe Liverpool players the chance to step up during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea, making seven changes to the starting XI.

In amongst the alterations, however, the Reds’ boss did elect to keep some continuity in the team, with Ryan Gravenberch one of those retaining his place.

The Dutchman has had a slightly difficult season so far, but has improved when given the chance to take over duties from the injured Dominik Szoboszlai. Things took a turn for the worse on Wednesday, though, as Gravenberch gave away a poor penalty against Chelsea.

The 24-year-old had no business trying to win the ball from the wrong side of Moises Caicedo, and he could have no complaints when Darren England pointed to the spot. It was an incredibly frustrating moment from Gravenberch, and former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson had no problem pointing the finger at him during ITV’s halftime coverage.

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C. Gakpo scores a penalty for Liverpool 1-1 43' Scored from the penalty spot

Liverpool's Dutch striker #18 Cody Gakpo (C) celebrates scoring the team's first goal during the English League Cup fourth round football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on October 28, 2026.

Gravenberch called out for penalty give away

Gravenberch has been unlucky at times during a difficult campaign. His red card while putting in a top performance against Manchester City was out of his hands, for example, but the former Ajax man does not help himself at times. Wednesday was a good example of that.

Watching on, Johnson was baffled, labelling Gravenberch as ‘ridiculous’ for trying to win the ball from the wrong side of Caicedo.

“I don’t know why he’s trying to tackle him in the first place,” said the former right-back.

“To tackle him there is ridiculous, to go to ground is even worse. I don’t know what he’s thinking.

“He’s [Caicedo] going away from the goal, he’s not dangerous, you can just let him have it. All Caicedo is thinking is ‘please foul me.'”

Having been drifting through the game up until that point, Chelsea suddenly had a gift to put themselves in front, one Morgan Rogers duly accepted. He had Gravenberch to thank for it.

Although it was certainly his worst moment of the game, Liverpool’s No. 38 was not especially good otherwise, and in what could have been a confidence-boosting, commanding performance in a young side, Gravenberch instead delivered what may arguably be his poorest moment since joining the club.