Ryan Gravenberch will not travel with the Liverpool squad for their Champions League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt after the Dutchman was ruled out with an ankle injury.
The midfielder was forced off during the second half of Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday. Arne Slot later confirmed Gravenberch had picked up an ankle issue, and those fears have now materialised, with the 23-year-old absent from open training on Tuesday morning.
Ryan Gravenberch set to miss Frankfurt tie
Gravenberch’s omission is a major setback ahead of a tough away fixture, and it all but confirms he won’t be on the plane to Germany. Liverpool will name their travelling squad imminently, but Slot may have to look toward the younger players for cover in midfield.
One positive note from the AXA Training Centre was the return of Wataru Endo. The Japan international missed international duty during the break and was unavailable for the United game due to a hamstring concern. The 32-year-old trained fully and is back in contention for the match against Frankfurt, although he’s expected to start on the bench.
Liverpool squad seen in training:
Goalkeepers: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Pecsi.
Defenders: Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Robertson, Kerkez, Frimpong, Bradley.
Midfielders: Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Curtis Jones, Endo, Nyoni.
Forwards: Salah, Isak, Gakpo, Ekitike, Chiesa, Ngumoha.
Trey Nyoni trains with first team
Trey Nyoni trained with the senior group again, though it’s yet to be decided whether he travels with the first team or captains the U19s in their UEFA Youth League fixture on Wednesday.
Slot is expected to make changes from the side that lost to United, having stuck with the same XI for back-to-back matches. Florian Wirtz and Curtis Jones are both in line for starts in midfield, with Alexis Mac Allister possibly dropping out after needing stitches to his head on Sunday and struggling for form.
Gravenberch’s absence could open the door for Nyoni’s inclusion, although Endo’s availability gives Slot an experienced option to anchor the midfield if needed.
Elsewhere, Federico Chiesa, Jeremie Frimpong, Hugo Ekitike, and Andy Robertson are among the names hoping to be recalled to the starting eleven, with Liverpool expected to rotate in key areas for the 8pm kickoff at Deutsche Bank Park.
