Liverpool Team News for Crystal Palace Clash as Ryan Gravenberch Faces Late Test

Liverpool head to Selhurst Park on Sunday needing a response. Two defeats on the spin have cut into the early-season optimism and left Andoni Iraola with a problem that is simple enough to define, his side need points and they need a cleaner performance.

The losses were narrow in one case and chaotic in the other. Arsenal won 1-0 at Anfield through Kai Havertz, then Fenerbahce beat Liverpool 3-2 after Liverpool had twice gone in front. That is the sort of sequence that exposes every loose touch, every lapse in concentration, every missing player.

Ryan Gravenberch fitness concern remains

The main doubt is Ryan Gravenberch. Iraola was direct about it, saying: “Ryan is a day to day thing and a matter of pain. Let’s see if he can deal with the pain and help us.” That tells you enough. This is not about tactics, it is about pain management and whether the midfielder can function properly.

Gravenberch was an unused substitute against Arsenal after suffering an issue in the warm-up. He then stayed behind for treatment and missed the midweek trip with a heel injury. He has also been left out of the Netherlands squad for this month’s Nations League fixtures, which underlines the seriousness of the problem.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool injuries stretch Iraola options

Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong remain out, so Iraola’s options are already reduced. If Gravenberch misses out as well, Liverpool will need others to step up again.

There is some cover. Dominik Szoboszlai is back available after injury, while Trey Nyoni made his first Premier League start against Arsenal. Neither solves everything, but both give Iraola alternatives in midfield before the international break.

Crystal Palace form offers Liverpool opportunity

Liverpool are fifth with 15 points from nine matches, hardly a crisis, but not where they want to be. Crystal Palace are 18th with seven points and have lost their last three league games without scoring, conceding nine in the process.

Palace will also be without Jean-Philippe Mateta after their appeal against his red card at Tottenham failed. Liverpool do not need this to be pretty. They need it to be efficient, controlled and, above all, winning.