When Ryan Gravenberch limped off the pitch at Old Trafford on October 19, 2025, it wasn’t just another substitution. It was the moment Liverpool’s title defense began to unravel — permanently. The 22-year-old Dutch midfielder, once hailed as the engine of Arne Slot’s high-pressing system, has been ruled out for the rest of the 2025-26 season after a persistent ankle injury, confirmed by Liverpool Football Club on October 30, 2025. The twist? He hadn’t even played a full 90 minutes since August. His season had already been derailed by a controversial red card, a newborn daughter, and now, this. And with six losses in seven games, the cracks aren’t just showing — they’re widening.
The Suspension That Started It All
Gravenberch’s season began before it even started. A straight red card in Liverpool’s final match of 2024-25 against Crystal Palace on May 19, 2025, handed down by referee Darren England, suspended him for the opening game of the new campaign. The incident? A foul on Daichi Kamada — but not before Gravenberch had been booked for simulation earlier. Manager Arne Slot called it "a moment that wasn’t even a foul," pointing out Liverpool made 13 fouls to Palace’s five. "They fell down in a moment which wasn’t even a foul," Slot said. "And the referee felt, oh, he fell down, so it probably is a foul." The suspension meant Gravenberch missed the Community Shield loss to Palace and the Premier League opener against AFC Bournemouth — not because he was unfit, but because of a decision many saw as harsh.The Injury That Broke the Back
He returned for the Manchester United clash on August 25, 2025, and looked sharp. But on October 19, during a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford, Gravenberch twisted his ankle in the 61st minute. No collision. No tackle. Just a misstep. He didn’t come back. Initial reports called him a "major doubt" for Brentford on October 22. Slot, ever the optimist, told reporters on October 30: "I think Ryan has the best chance..." But then came the quiet, devastating update: Liverpool confirmed he wouldn’t play again this season. No rehab timeline. No hope of a comeback. Just silence.The Domino Effect
Gravenberch’s absence didn’t just leave a gap in midfield — it shattered the rhythm. Curtis Jones, the 23-year-old Englishman, has shouldered more than his share, but he’s now sidelined with a hamstring issue. Florian Wirtz, the German playmaker, is out too after international duty. Dominik Szoboszlai, the Hungarian, has been the lone consistent thread, but even he’s exhausted. Against Eintracht Frankfurt on October 28, Szoboszlai and Jones "ran the show" in a 5-1 win — but that was a miracle, not a blueprint. The team played three games in seven days. Slot admitted: "The last time I played a player I thought was ready for that programme was Alexander Isak. But it turns out he wasn’t." And Isak? The £125 million Norwegian striker, signed to be the answer to Liverpool’s goal-scoring woes, went off at halftime in that same Frankfurt match with a groin injury. He’s now out indefinitely. So is Alisson Becker, the 32-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper, with a minor but persistent issue. Jeremie Frimpong, the Dutch right-back, is expected back November 22 — but that’s still weeks away. And let’s not forget: Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté have each picked up two yellow cards. The team has 23 bookings in 11 league games — joint-fourth worst in the Premier League. Discipline is collapsing just as depth is gone.What This Means for the Title Defense
Liverpool won the Premier League last season with 37 matches played and 4 assists from Gravenberch. He was the link between defense and attack, the runner who covered space, the player who could win duels and keep possession under pressure. Without him, the midfield has become reactive, not proactive. The 2025-26 campaign has seen six defeats in seven games. They’re out of the Carabao Cup. They’re clinging to Champions League qualification. And now, with seven matches in 22 days after the November 23 fixture against Nottingham Forest, the schedule is a gauntlet. Slot isn’t making excuses. But he’s not blind either. "We’re not a team that can afford to lose two central midfielders at once," he said in a recent presser. "We’re not a team that can afford to lose our captain for a game. We’re not a team that can afford to lose our goalkeeper."The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about one player. It’s about a club that pushed its squad to the limit last season — playing 62 games across four competitions. Gravenberch was one of the few who held up. Now, the wear and tear is showing. The medical team is stretched thin. The transfer window is closed. And the fans? They’re watching a team that looked like champions in August, now fighting to stay in the top four. The twist? The injury might have been avoidable. The suspension? Unnecessary. The lack of rotation? A managerial gamble that’s backfired. Liverpool didn’t lose because of bad luck. They lost because they ran out of answers — and now, they’re out of players.Frequently Asked Questions
How does Gravenberch’s injury affect Liverpool’s midfield dynamics?
Without Gravenberch, Liverpool’s midfield lacks the mobility and defensive cover he provided. Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai are now playing beyond their natural roles, while Wirtz’s absence leaves no creative outlet. The team has shifted to a more direct style, losing the intricate passing patterns that defined their 2024-25 title win. This has made them vulnerable to counterattacks, especially in congested midweeks.
Why was Gravenberch’s red card so controversial?
The red card came after a foul on Daichi Kamada during a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on May 19, 2025 — but only after Gravenberch had already been booked for simulation earlier in the match. Replays showed minimal contact, and manager Arne Slot noted Liverpool committed 13 fouls to Palace’s five, suggesting the referee favored the home side. Many analysts called it a harsh decision, especially since it cost Liverpool their best central midfielder for the season opener.
Who is most at risk of missing the next big match?
With Gravenberch, Isak, Alisson, Frimpong, and Jones all sidelined, Liverpool’s next key absence could be Virgil van Dijk. The 34-year-old captain has played every minute of the last three Premier League games despite accumulating two yellow cards. A single booking against Nottingham Forest on November 23 could trigger a suspension, leaving Liverpool without their defensive leader in a must-win match.
What’s the impact of Liverpool’s 23 yellow cards in 11 games?
Liverpool’s 23 yellow cards rank them joint-fourth worst in the Premier League. That’s not just about discipline — it’s about desperation. Players are lunging in, committing early fouls, and losing composure under pressure. With key defenders like Van Dijk and Konaté already on two bookings each, one more caution could mean missing a crucial match. This trend is a direct result of squad fatigue and lack of cover.
Can Liverpool still win the Premier League with this injury crisis?
It’s mathematically possible, but statistically unlikely. With six losses in seven games and seven matches in 22 days, Liverpool’s title hopes are hanging by a thread. Even if they win every remaining game, they’d need rivals like Arsenal and Manchester City to collapse. More realistically, they’re now fighting to finish in the top four. Their focus has shifted from defending the crown to simply staying in the race.
What’s next for Ryan Gravenberch?
Gravenberch will begin a structured rehabilitation program with Liverpool’s medical staff, with a focus on ankle stability and strength. His contract runs through 2028, and the club remains committed to his long-term future. But his return timeline is unclear. He’s expected to be fully fit by next summer, but whether he regains his pre-injury form remains uncertain. For now, his season is over — and so, perhaps, is Liverpool’s title defense.
Vusumuzi Moyo
I am a journalist specializing in daily news coverage with a keen focus on developments across Africa. My work involves analyzing political, economic, and cultural trends to bring insightful stories to my readers. I strive to present news in a concise and accessible manner, aiming to inform and educate through my articles.
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