The Premier League season is only a few weeks old and already Liverpool are top of the table, already Arne Slot’s team are showing signs of becoming a real force, already the new manager has managed to bring together new faces with old warriors in a way that excites the fans. But as every Liverpool supporter knows, football is not just about winning matches in September, it is about surviving the whole season, about keeping momentum alive all the way to May. And right now, there is one story that could quietly shape Liverpool’s campaign, one issue that may not make the biggest headlines but could become very costly later in the season. That story is about Ryan Gravenberch, the young Dutch midfielder who has grown into a key part of this Liverpool side but who already finds himself walking a very dangerous line with the referees of the Premier League.
The fear is suspension. The fear is that the same man who has become so important in the middle of the pitch could also miss matches that matter most, not because of injury, not because of rotation, but because of cards. Football is a game of fine margins, and sometimes yellow cards picked up in September can come back to haunt you in December or January when the fixtures pile up and when titles are truly decided. And Ryan Gravenberch, as good as he has been so far, is already staring at that risk.
The story began even before the new season kicked off. On the final day of last season, when Liverpool were facing Crystal Palace, Gravenberch was shown a straight red card. It was the kind of red card that leaves no argument. Daichi Kamada was through on goal, one on one, ready to score, and Gravenberch dragged him down. Denying a clear goalscoring opportunity is always punished, and the referee had no choice. That red card carried into the new season, and it meant Liverpool’s midfield engine missed the opening fixture against Bournemouth.
That absence was immediately felt. Without him, Liverpool looked shaky in midfield. Bournemouth attacked with speed and twice cut through the team, scoring goals that could easily have spoiled Arne Slot’s Premier League debut. Liverpool still won, but it was narrow, it was nervy, and it was a warning that Gravenberch’s new role was important. Slot had reshaped him into more of a defensive midfielder last season, a shield who not only broke up attacks but also carried the ball forward with calmness. Without him, the balance was gone. That was the first sign that this Dutchman had quietly become irreplaceable.
When he returned against Newcastle United in the second match, it was like a storm had been unleashed. St. James’ Park was full of fire that day, full of anger and noise, with fans furious about Alexander Isak’s impending move to Liverpool. The atmosphere was electric, hostile, and boiling. In such moments, young players can get carried away. And just eight minutes into the game, that is exactly what happened to Gravenberch. He went in hard on Bruno Guimaraes, a crunching challenge that may have sent a message of aggression but also sent the referee reaching for his pocket. Yellow card. The Dutchman was booked before the game had even settled.
That one moment changed the mood. For the rest of the game, Gravenberch had to play carefully, always aware that another mistimed challenge could bring a red card. Yet despite the caution, he still played a huge role. He scored the opening goal, showing that he is not just a destroyer but also a creator. Liverpool went on to win 3-2 in dramatic fashion, and fans celebrated, but underneath the joy there was a whisper: Ryan must be careful.
The next big test came against Arsenal at Anfield. It was a heated clash, as it always is when those two giants meet. Arsenal came with speed, energy, and danger. And once again, Gravenberch found himself in the middle of the storm. When Riccardo Calafiori burst forward with a run that threatened to split Liverpool’s defense wide open, Gravenberch made the decision that defensive midfielders so often have to make. He took him down. A cynical foul, no arguments. The referee reached for the yellow card again.
Two games played, two yellow cards. Add that to the suspension carried from last season, and suddenly the story became bigger. Premier League rules are clear. If a player collects five yellow cards in the first nineteen match weeks of the season, he is suspended for one match. It is a rule designed to stop players from using constant tactical fouls to gain advantage. And Gravenberch, with his style of play, is always going to be at risk. He is aggressive, he is physical, he breaks up play, he puts himself in positions where fouls happen. That is his job. But now he must balance it with discipline, or else Liverpool could lose him at key moments.
Arne Slot knows this. He has seen how important Gravenberch is. Without him against Bournemouth, the midfield was vulnerable. With him against Newcastle and Arsenal, the midfield was solid, even when the matches turned wild. He gives Liverpool the energy to close down, the legs to track back, and the vision to start attacks. But he also has that side that can drag him into battles, into unnecessary duels, into cards that add up. Slot must now guide him, must teach him when to fight and when to step away.
For Gravenberch, this is a test of maturity. He is only 23 years old, still young in football terms, still learning. The Premier League is not forgiving. Referees are strict, VAR watches everything, and opponents are clever. They know how to lure a player into fouls, how to trap him into mistakes. Against Newcastle, you could argue that Bruno Guimaraes was waiting for the challenge. Against Arsenal, Calafiori ran at speed knowing he would force a decision. This is what the very best midfielders learn – how to stay on the pitch, how to play tough without giving referees an easy choice.
Liverpool fans are already worried. They know what happens if he misses a game. Imagine if the suspension comes right before a match against Manchester City, or against Chelsea, or in the middle of the Christmas period when games come fast. One missing piece can be the difference between victory and defeat. The Premier League title is often won by one or two points. Losing Gravenberch for even one game could be costly.
This is not the first time Liverpool have faced such problems. In the past, players like Fabinho and even Steven Gerrard found themselves collecting too many cards because their roles demanded it. The question was always how to control the fire without putting it out. Gravenberch has that same challenge now. He must remain aggressive, because that is what makes him effective, but he must also be smart. Timing, positioning, and awareness are what separate a world-class defensive midfielder from an ordinary one.
The story of Ryan Gravenberch this season may not just be about goals or assists, but about control. Can he control his tackles? Can he control his emotions in heated stadiums? Can he control himself when opponents push him? If he does, he can become the engine that drives Liverpool to glory. If he does not, suspensions may weaken the team when they need him most.
As things stand, he already has two yellow cards. Seventeen match weeks remain before the deadline resets. That is a long road. One more card here, another there, and suddenly he will be just one away from missing a game. Every foul will feel heavier, every referee’s whistle sharper. This is the reality of the Premier League, where discipline is as important as talent.
For Liverpool, the season is young but the stakes are already high. They are top of the table now, but rivals are close, and every advantage matters. Gravenberch’s suspension fear may seem small in September, but it could grow into one of the defining subplots of the campaign. And for Arne Slot, guiding his young midfielder through this storm will be one of his first real tests as Liverpool manager.
Because football is not just about brilliance, it is about survival. Ryan Gravenberch has the brilliance. Now he must prove he also has the survival instincts.
