Ryan Gravenberch backed by Andoni Iraola to refind best Liverpool form: ‘We trust him’
منتشرشده: · بهروزرسانی: · ایران
The Athletic has live coverage of Liverpool vs Arsenal. Ryan Gravenberch is trusted at Liverpool despite a turbulent start to the season, Andoni Iraola has said.
The Athletic has live coverage of Liverpool vs Arsenal.
Ryan Gravenberch is trusted at Liverpool despite a turbulent start to the season, Andoni Iraola has said.
The 24-year-old midfielder endured a difficult evening against Chelsea in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth last-16 tie; conceding a penalty during normal time before missing from the spot in the shootout, which Liverpool went on to win 6-5.
Ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League game against Arsenal, Iraola admitted that while it has not been an ideal start for the Netherlands international, he is in no doubt about the midfielder’s quality.
“I think he has had better games this season, worse games,” Iraola told reporters during his pre-Arsenal press conference. “I think lately he is playing a lot, a lot of minutes and has also played very good games recently.
“We trust him. We know what he can produce and like with other players when they don’t play well, (we) try to help him to improve the things I think he can improve and he’s in a good place.”
Gravenberch started the first game of the season against Newcastle as the team’s No 6, at the base of the midfield, but lost his place to Alexis Mac Allister.
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He then struggled in his next league start, a 0-0 draw against Fulham, and youngster Trey Nyoni was preferred to him against Bournemouth in the final game before the international break.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s hamstring injury has provided Gravenberch with more opportunities since the club football returned.
The Dutch midfielder’s performance against Manchester City was his standout display of the season, but ended early as he was sent off for two yellow cards just after the hour mark.
He played as a No 8 in that game, and that is the position Iraola believes he is most suited to. His positional flexibility is also valued as he played as both a No 10 and at right-back in the 4-3 victory over Villarreal in the Champions League.
Gravenberch appears to be a player searching for confidence and clarity on his role in the Liverpool squad.
Whether he is involved against Arsenal from the start or off the bench, Gravenberch, who signed a long-term contract in March, will mark his 150th appearance for Liverpool in all competitions.
Fellow midfielder Szoboszlai faces a race against time to prove his fitness for the game against Arsenal, while Iraola suggested winger Victor Munoz may also return.
The pair have missed Liverpool’s last three games against Villarreal, Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea due to injury. They both picked up problems in the 2-1 victory over Brentford earlier this month.
“I think they (Szoboszlai and Munoz) have a chance,” Iraola said. “But I don’t know for sure if they will be involved or not.”