Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman says Ryan Gravenberch has suffered a ‘minor hamstring issue’ ahead of Liverpool vs Manchester United.
Following the international break, the Premier League returns this weekend with one of the biggest games of the season as United travel to Anfield.
It is a hugely important game for Liverpool – and not just for the bragging rights – after losing their last three games and slipping behind Arsenal in the title race.
But the international break has not been kind to Arne Slot, with both Ibrahima Konate and Wataru Endo picking up injuries, joining Alisson Becker and Giovanni Leoni in the treatment room.
And ahead of Sunday’s huge clash, Gravenberch’s fitness is in doubt after being subbed off at half-time of the Netherlands’ 4-0 win over Finland in World Cup qualifying.
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The midfielder was replaced at the break by Manchester City’s Tijjani Reijnders, while club teammates Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo were on the scoresheet for Oranje.
Post-match, Gravenberch looked to play down any injury concerns, telling reporters: ‘It was partly fitness related. The season is long, so it was a precaution. I’m feeling good and I have the coach’s confidence.’
But Koeman has since revealed more details on the 23-year-old’s condition: ‘Ryan indicated he was experiencing some minor hamstring discomfort. We obviously didn’t take any risks with that.’
Gravenberch will now be assessed to determine the injury’s severity, with goalkeeper Alisson ruled out until the end of the month with a hamstring problem.
Slot is set to give an update before the United match and will be praying his fellow Dutchman is fit having been arguably one of Liverpool’s best players this season.
He has started all but one of the Reds’ Premier League games this capaign, only missing the opening night win over Bournemouth through injury, and has two goals and two assists in eight appearances across all competitions.
Former Liverpool star Danny Murphy believes Slot must start Gravenberch against United, telling Wettbasis.com: ‘I would go with [Dominik] Szobozslai and Gravenberch in the middle.
‘Two super athletic players who can cover lots of ground. And I’d put [Florian] Wirtz ahead of them. That would be my midfield three at the moment.
‘I’d let Wirtz play through it because I think the magic will come. I would have Szobozslai and Gravenberch behind him because they’re the two most athletic midfielders that we’ve got.’
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