Liverpool and Arne Slot will start the new Premier League season without the services of midfielder Ryan Gravenberch due to suspension. The player received a straight red card in the last match of the previous season against Crystal Palace. With the fixture list for the 2025/26 top-flight season now out, the reigning champions know the journey they must undertake to retain their title. They’ll kick off the season by hosting Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday, August 15.
While a swift and decisive start is the goal, Slot will be missing a crucial component of his midfield. Gravenberch has been a revelation, starting almost every league match under his new head coach and flourishing in the role of a holding No. 6. However, during Liverpool‘s final Premier League match in May, a 1-1 draw with Palace, Gravenberch was sent off and will therefore be suspended for the start of the new season.
Ismaila Sarr put the visitors 1-0 up just nine minutes into the game when FA Cup winners Palace visited Merseyside, a lead that held until the second half. After 61 minutes, Gravenberch was booked for diving in the Eagles’ penalty area, and just seven minutes later, a high clearance landed him in trouble.
The Dutch midfielder’s foul resulted in grave consequences when Palace’s Daichi Kamada was brought down by last-man Gravenberch, leaving referee Darren England no choice but to issue a direct red card.
As the 84th minute struck, a Mohamed Salah equaliser sent waves of elation through Anfield, offering a bright spot on what was otherwise a disappointing result, despite the celebratory nature of the day as the Reds lifted their title.
Liverpool has verified that Gravenberch will serve his suspension at the beginning of the forthcoming season. Since his sending off wasn’t for violent conduct, he is only expected to miss one match.
Despite the setback, Gravenberch remains eligible to feature in Liverpool‘s Community Shield against Palace on August 9, where he’ll aim to enhance his reputation following a breakthrough campaign with an expanded role.
Under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp, Gravenberch found minutes scarce, but Arne Slot‘s arrival at Anfield potentially changed his fortunes, repositioning him as a defensive No. 6 – a move that proved ingenious.
In a reveal to The Athletic, Gravenberch recalled a significant phone call: “During a phone call in the first conversation I had with Arne, he said to me: ‘I see you as a No. 8 but I want to try you as a No. 6.’ I played there against Manchester United in pre-season and after that game, he just put me there. I was like: ‘OK, let’s do it’.
“From that moment, I only played as a No. 6. I didn’t play a lot in that position before but this season, that position has made me who I am now. I am not naturally a defensive midfielder. I also like to drive forward with the ball.
“It’s been good so far. This is the first season that we did a good job together as a midfield. To arrive there is easier than to stay there. Hopefully, we can win more trophies together.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk