Lynch: Gravenberch not even a minor issue | OneFootball

Gravenberch Fitness Boost Eases Liverpool Concerns

Liverpool supporters were braced for bad news when Ryan Gravenberch limped off during the Netherlands’ 4–0 win over Finland. Speaking on Media Matters with Lewis Aspinall for Anfield Index, journalist David Lynch moved quickly to calm fears surrounding the midfielder ahead of the clash with Manchester United.

“My understanding is that he is okay,” Lynch confirmed. “It’s not even… something like that. It was more kind of a consideration of right, we’re 3–0 up… let’s just look after him in this situation and make sure he’s okay.”

Lynch went on to praise the cooperation between Liverpool and national team staff, saying “Liverpool do work hard… to have good relations with the international coaches” and that the decision to withdraw Gravenberch was taken “with one eye on kind of protecting” the player.

The expectation now is that Gravenberch will be immediately available. “He’ll come back to Liverpool, he’ll be fully fit, should be absolutely straight into training and no concerns about his availability for the Manchester United game.”

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Essential Figure in Midfield

Lynch was unwavering when asked whether Gravenberch should start against United. “I think he’s got to start and I think he will start,” he insisted. “He’s such a… unique profile in that midfield. I just don’t think you can kind of trust… anybody else you’d really trust at the base of that midfield.”

The journalist even placed Gravenberch among Liverpool’s untouchables. “He’s cemented himself… in that elite bracket of Liverpool players that when you pull them out, you haven’t really got a direct replacement for… he just demands to be played for 50 plus games a season.”

Lynch noted the club have managed others in that category similarly. “Mo Salah has never really had a good backup… Virgil van Dijk very similar.”

Tactical Freedom or Defensive Anchor?

The conversation soon shifted to positioning. Asked whether Gravenberch should be granted licence to attack or remain disciplined, Lynch made his preference clear. “I like the idea of him getting forward because I think if you’ve got a player who can pull off the finish that he did against Everton… you don’t want to just shackle them.”

Referencing Arne Slot’s rotational system, Lynch highlighted the risks and rewards. “It leads to disjointedness… maybe all three midfielders will end up in the box thinking, ‘Oh, I’m the one who’s rotating forward.’” Despite teething issues, he believes the long-term vision is sound. “That quality that he’s got in forward positions, you don’t want to kind of take that out of his game.”

United Clash Looms Large

Looking ahead to the weekend, Lynch issued a warning. “Even though they were absolutely dreadful, they still managed to turn up at Anfield and put in a good performance… they can create chances and maybe this is one of the games where the shots go in for them.”

Still, he sees opportunity rather than fear. “Just go and wipe the floor with them and it will just change the feel around the season immediately.”

There is no doubt in his mind who should be on the pitch when that statement is attempted. “I just don’t think Liverpool can afford to start 90% of games without him really.”