Liverpool dealt new Ryan Gravenberch injury blow ahead of Merseyside derby

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·19. März 2025

Liverpool dealt new Ryan Gravenberch injury blow ahead of Merseyside derby

Reds midfielder has left the Netherlands squad early with knock sustained during the Carabao Cup final

Liverpool have been handed a worrying new injury concern over Ryan Gravenberch with their latest Merseyside derby clash against Everton approaching.

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The Dutch midfielder has enjoyed a stellar campaign at Anfield under compatriot Arne Slot as a key part of the Reds team who look set to win the Premier League title at a canter.

Gravenberch started as usual for Liverpool in Sunday’s shock Carabao Cup final defeat by Newcastle, but was replaced just over 15 minutes from time by eventual goalscorer Federico Chiesa.

It has now emerged that the 22-year-old suffered a knock at Wembley that initially did not prevent him from joining up with the Netherlands squad for their upcoming two-legged Nations League quarter-final tie against Spain.

However, the Oranje have now confirmed that Gravenberch has left Ronald Koeman’s training camp early on the eve of the home clash with Spain in Amsterdam due to injury and returned to Liverpool for further assessment.

The Netherlands national team said in a statement on Wednesday night: “Ryan Gravenberch has left the Oranje's training camp this evening.

“The midfielder is still suffering from an injury sustained over the weekend that prevents him from playing in the matches against Spain. Take care, Ryan!”

Earlier on Wednesday, Gravenberch’s fellow Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott was seen taking part in training with the England Under-21 squad at St George’s Park ahead of friendlies against France and Portugal, suggesting he has quickly shaken off the knock suffered late on against Newcastle at Wembley.

Elliott could be in line to replace Gravenberch if the latter is not fit for Everton’s midweek trip to Anfield in the Premier League on April 2, with Curtis Jones another prominent potenial option alongside Wataru Endo.

Liverpool are without Trent Alexander-Arnold at present due to an ankle injury suffered in the Champions League last-16 second-leg defeat by Paris Saint-Germain last week, with the England right-back expected back before the end of the season but an exact return date unclear.

Fellow defenders Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley are also currently sidelined due to respective hamstring issues, while young midfielder Tyler Morton is recovering from shoulder surgery. However, centre-back Ibrahima Konate was fit to start against Newcastle despite limping off in extra time against PSG.