Liverpool star will miss opening game of new Premier League season after ban
Arne Slot will be without vital cog Ryan Gravenberch when Liverpool begin their title defence in August, after the midfielder's final-day sending off against Crystal Palace
Liverpool and Arne Slot will be without enforcer Ryan Gravenberch to begin the new Premier League season. The suspended midfielder ended last campaign with a straight red card against Crystal Palace.
With the upcoming 2025/26 top-flight season's fixture list now released, the title-winning Reds have discovered the path they'll have to take to retain their Premier League crown.
To kick off the campaign, they'll host Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday, August 15, and though a fast and convincing start will be on the agenda, Slot will be without a key midfield cog. Gravenberch was a man revolutionised this season, starting nearly every single league match under his new head coach, who allowed the 23-year-old to blossom as a holding No. 6.
However, during the Reds' final Premier League match in May, a 1-1 draw with Palace, after which they lifted the top-flight trophy aloft for the 20th time, Gravenberch saw red and will be suspended to begin the new term.
Ismaila Sarr put the visitors 1-0 ahead after just nine minutes when FA Cup winners Palace visited Merseyside, and this lead remained intact until the second half.
After 61 minutes, Gravenberch went into the book after a dive in the Eagles' penalty area, and just seven minutes later, a sky-high clearance landed him in a spot of bother.
The Dutch midfielder's touch was wild, and as Palace's Daichi Kamada lifted the ball beyond Gravenberch, who was the last man, he was hacked down. Referee Darren England quickly produced a straight red and handed Gravenberch his marching orders.
An 84th-minute Mohamed Salah leveller gave the Anfield hopeful something to sing about on what was a joyous day, though with the new season coming into view, Gravenberch's suspension does too.
The club have confirmed that this suspension will be served when the new season begins, though it is expected that, as his red card was not given for violent conduct, Gravenberch's ban will be for just a single match.
Gravenberch will, however, be able to take part in Liverpool' s Community Shield clash against Palace on August 9, when he'll look to build on a campaign that came with a new role and increased minutes.
Before Slot's arrival at Anfield, Gravenberch had struggled for game time under Jurgen Klopp, but enlisting him as a more defensive No. 6 turned out to be a masterstroke by the incoming Dutch manager.
"During a phone call in the first conversation I had with Arne, he said to me: 'I see you as a No. 8 but I want to try you as a No. 6,'" Gravenberch told The Athletic. "I played there against Manchester United in pre-season and after that game, he just put me there. I was like: 'OK, let's do it.'
"From that moment, I only played as a No. 6. I didn't play a lot in that position before but this season, that position has made me who I am now. I am not naturally a defensive midfielder. I also like to drive forward with the ball.
"It's been good so far. This is the first season that we did a good job together as a midfield. To arrive there is easier than to stay there. Hopefully, we can win more trophies together."
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