(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)
Match

Liverpool player who had 'big impact' last season is really 'missed' by Arne Slot

Jack Dawson
Jack Dawson

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at the Edinburgh Evening News and GRV Media; Masters graduate from the University of Derby. FOCUS Scottish Premiership coverage with specialist knowledge of Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Aberdeen, and Motherwell. THE INSIGHT Jack utilises a network of club and industry contacts across the Scottish Premiership to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the tactical and transfer insight behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

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Liverpool clearly had a 2024/25 campaign to remember last season as they lifted the Premier League title.

Arne Slot overcame the odds to ensure the Reds won the top-flight for the 20th time to go level with Manchester United.

Multiple players had a season to remember, with Mohamed Salah tearing up the Premier League throughout.

Now, with the 2025/26 campaign just days away, Slot is already taking questions ahead of their showdown against Bournemouth.

Arne Slot watches on at Wembley
Slot oversaw the return of the Premier League crown to Liverpool last season (Credit: Imago)

Slot: Liverpool missed Ryan Gravenberch vs Crystal Palace 

In Liverpool’s defeat to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield, it was clear how much of a loss Ryan Gravenberch was.

The midfielder was unable to play at Wembley due to the birth of his first child.

However, his absence is now set to carry over onto Friday’s match against Bournemouth due to Gravenberch's red card against Palace at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

Given the impact the 23-year-old had at Liverpool last season, Slot is now concerned about how his suspension could affect the result against the Cherries at Anfield.

  • Gravenberch was sent off in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace in the final match of the 2024/25 Premier League season
  • The midfielder recieved his marching orders for taking down Daichi Kamada when he was the last man just beyond the halfway line

He told Liverpool in his press conference on 14 August: "I think last Sunday, the chances we conceded was that we lost the ball easily in midfield and we could be counter-attacked. Ryan always takes care of the ball, but everyone can lose it, so I am not sure how much we missed him last week. 

“But it is clear Ryan had a big impact last year. People probably forgot how he got suspended, one was for a dive! 

“One team is too honest in this league - Cody got a push in his back vs Palace! - we are very clean, never dive, and we have a suspension now for a player diving for a first yellow card last year.

"Macca had a bit of a different pre-season than we would like but he is back fit now so I still have a choice to make."

How good was Gravenberch last season?

The impact Gravenberch had at Liverpool last season cannot be understated. 

The Dutchman completely dominated the Premier League, with few players able to get past the 23-year-old. 

Ryan Gravenberch stats last season per 90 minutes
Passing completion 89.4%
Progressive passes 5.30
Progressive carries 1.99
Successful take-ons 0.96
Interceptions1.83
Gravenberch has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world

As a result, Gravenberch was nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season award, which was eventually given to Salah.

However, this does not downplay Gravenberch’s importance to the team, and if Liverpool are to retain their title, the Dutchman will be vital to achieving this. 

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Arne Slot
Ryan Gravenberch
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