Liverpool’s contentious defeat to Tottenham on Saturday came at a high price. Not only is the Reds’ unbeaten run finished, but Jürgen Klopp may be forced to rest three players.
The uproar about not overturning Luis Diaz’s disallowed goal has managed to eclipse the reality that Liverpool finished the game with just nine men on the field, with Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota’s dismissals being controversial enough.
Both will miss next Sunday’s game against Brighton, and Jones will also miss the following games against Everton and Nottingham Forest. Add to that the fact that Cody Gakpo was photographed leaving North London sporting a leg brace, and Klopp’s problems are mounting.
Having said that, Liverpool has apparent solutions for the game against Brighton. Darwin Nunez should be able to return to the starting lineup, while Ryan Gravenberch appears to be the next man up in midfield.
However, the two players are at opposite phases of their Liverpool careers. Nunez appears to be picking up on the methods Klopp demands from his forwards, and there is a case to be made that he is now the first-choice number nine.
Gravenberch, on the other hand, has only been at Anfield for a few weeks. He has a few of Europa League and Carabao Cup starts under his belt, but his league outings have so far been cameos off the bench.
With Jones now out of domestic play for three games, that looks certain to increase in the coming weeks, giving Klopp an opportunity to explore his “long-term project” quicker than envisaged.
Gravenberch was a bit of a surprise during the summer transfer window, given that Liverpool arguably still required a number six despite adding Wataru End. Klopp, on the other hand, has not ruled out the possibility of the Netherlands international assuming the job.
“I didn’t mention [the position], [Bayern Munich boss] Thomas Tuchel said that!” Klopp stated earlier this month (via the ECHO) when asked where Gravenberch is best suited.
“I believe he has the potential to play as a number six in the future.” The only question with Alexis Mac Allister – he can play the position — is whether he is a traditional six. Most likely not. However, the position in football has evolved over time.
“But, aside from that, [Gravenberch] is a true talent.” So we’ll have to wait and see. We obviously have good players, and we don’t need to rush him in because he’s new; this is a mid- and long-term project, and he’ll be with us for sure, with plenty of opportunity to play.”
Klopp clearly regards Gravenberch as having the ability to someday fill Fabinho’s shoes, which may assist Alexis Mac Allister, as the Liverpool manager intimated.
The Argentine has done well in the deeper midfield spot, but it’s evident that his talent would be better suited further up the field.
He may not have that chance in the upcoming games, but Gravenberch might take the first steps toward becoming a number six in training over the next several weeks in Jones’ absence.
And we may see some of the results of that labor in the coming league games as Klopp gets an early start on his long-term goal.