Andoni Iraola has provided an update on Ryan Gravenberch ahead of Liverpool‘s Champions League trip to Fenerbahce.
Liverpool midfielder Gravenberch was absent from the 22-man travelling squad that flew out to Turkey on Tuesday morning, left behind on Merseyside to have treatment on a heel issue.
Iraola provided an update on the 24-year-old’s status at a press conference at Fenerbahce’s Chobani Stadium, which was delayed by over an hour due to traffic issues in Istanbul.
Asked if Gravenberch could be available again for this Sunday’s trip to Crystal Palace, he said: “I don’t know, it’s a day-to-day thing. It’s the heel, it’s about the pain.
“I think he’s been in some discomfort. The other day against Arsenal, he was warming up and he was not fully confident. He hasn’t improved since then, but it’s going be something that every day we ask him, every day we see how he is.
“If he can be available for the weekend, lovely. It would be a very good help for us, but I cannot tell you right now.”
The Netherlands international was an unused substitute in Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal, with Trey Nyoni preferred in midfield as the 19-year-old made his first Premier League start.
Gravenberch’s absence likely opens up another opportunity for Nyoni in the starting XI against Fenerbahce.
“ I think he has to continue in the same place that has been since the beginning of pre-season, being ready for every game,” Iraola added. “I think he’s playing most of the games or even all the games lately, so we trust him.
“He’s doing very well and I think we have to encourage him to continue improving, continue learning, continue adding experience. But he’s in a very good place.”
Iraola was left furious after the Arsenal result after a penalty appeal surrounding a shirt-pull on Alexander Isak was waved away by referee Andy Madley and VAR, asserting after the game that he will tell his players to dive in order to get officials to take appropriate action.
Despite his anger, Iraola confirmed that he had not asked refereeing body Pro Ref for a formal explanation why the penalty wasn’t awarded.
“No, I didn’t ask for an explanation,” he said. “I told you what I think about the plays, but honestly I don’t have time.
“Preparing for Fenerbahce, we have just two days between games, so I’ve just been focussing on this game, the opposition and how to prepare the team for tomorrow.”
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