Andoni Iraola has clarified the status of Ryan Gravenberch following the midfielder’s exclusion from Liverpool’s Champions League squad in Turkey. The 24-year-old was left behind in Merseyside to undergo treatment for a heel issue, a decision that forced the manager to manage his midfield depth without a key starter during the trip to Istanbul. While the absence initially raised questions about the severity of the knock, Iraola emphasized that the situation remains fluid, noting that the player has not shown significant improvement since first feeling discomfort during warm-ups against Arsenal.
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The Liverpool boss addressed the uncertainty at a press conference at Fenerbahce’s Chobani Stadium, which was delayed by over an hour due to local traffic congestion. When pressed on whether Gravenberch could return for the Premier League clash with Crystal Palace this Sunday, Iraola adopted a cautious, day-to-day approach. “I don’t know, it’s a day-to-day thing. It’s the heel, it’s about the pain,” Iraola stated. He revealed that Gravenberch was “not fully confident” during his pre-match routine against Arsenal and has struggled to shake off the discomfort since then, making a guaranteed return for the weekend unlikely at this stage.
Despite the setback, Iraola highlighted the significant value Gravenberch brings to the squad if he can recover in time. “If he can be available for the weekend, lovely. It would be a very good help for us, but I cannot tell you right now,” the manager admitted. The medical team is closely monitoring the midfielder’s response to treatment, with the primary focus on managing pain levels rather than enforcing a strict timeline. For Liverpool, the next 48 hours will be critical in determining whether they can field their preferred midfield partnership against Palace or must rely on alternative options to maintain their defensive structure.
Source: Yahoo Sports
