Liverpool’s recent defeat to Manchester United was already painful enough for the fans, but what followed after the game made the situation even worse. The Reds did not only lose the match — they also lost one of their key midfielders to injury. Ryan Gravenberch, one of Arne Slot’s trusted players in the middle of the pitch, twisted his ankle and had to be taken off. With around a third of the game left, Slot replaced him with Curtis Jones, and at that very moment, everyone inside Anfield knew that things were going from bad to worse for Liverpool.
The timing of this setback could not have been worse. The team had just come back from the international break, hoping to start fresh after a poor run of results. But instead of a comeback story, it turned into another night of frustration, disappointment, and concern. Gravenberch’s injury means Liverpool will be without their main player when they travel to face Eintracht Frankfurt in midweek — a game that could decide the direction of their European campaign.
Arne Slot spoke after the defeat, trying to stay calm, but his words revealed the tension behind the scenes. He confirmed that Gravenberch would be assessed and hinted at how difficult the schedule has been. “Three games in seven days,” he said, a short but powerful statement that summed up the pressure on Liverpool’s squad right now. The new manager knows he has to rotate, to lean on the depth of the team, and to trust those who have not played much. But it is never easy when injuries start to pile up.
Gravenberch’s absence adds to a growing list of problems for Slot. The goalkeeper situation is still not resolved either. Alisson Becker, Liverpool’s number one and one of the best in the world, remains out with a hamstring injury. He has not yet returned to full training, and there is no confirmed date for his comeback. In his place, Giorgi Mamardashvili continues to start. The Georgian goalkeeper has been reliable and brave, but Liverpool fans know that Alisson’s presence is irreplaceable — his leadership, his calmness, and his ability to pull off impossible saves.
The midfield also looks thinner than expected. Wataru Endo, who missed the Manchester United game with a minor knock, is still a doubt. Teenager Giovanni Leoni, who was beginning to earn praise earlier in the season, remains out long-term after ACL surgery. That leaves Arne Slot with limited choices for the Frankfurt trip. He has to balance energy, creativity, and control without risking more injuries
Liverpool’s form makes the situation even more worrying. Before the international break, they lost three games in a row, a run that shocked supporters who had begun to believe Slot’s early promise. After weeks of building momentum, the team suddenly fell into a slump — and that slump continued when they returned to Premier League action. Losing at home to Manchester United is always a nightmare for Liverpool, and this one hurt deeply. They created enough chances to win but failed to take them. They looked lively, determined, but in the end, it was United who walked away with all three points.
When Gravenberch went down clutching his ankle, the crowd fell silent. The Dutch midfielder has been one of the few consistent performers for Liverpool this season, combining strength, technique, and composure. His ability to carry the ball from midfield and link with forwards like Salah and Núñez gives Liverpool balance. Without him, the Reds often struggle to control games. Slot reacted quickly, bringing in Curtis Jones, who tried his best to fill the gap. But everyone could see the difference. The rhythm changed. The midfield lost some of its bite.
After the match, Slot’s words reflected both disappointment and determination. He knows he must find solutions fast. The schedule is brutal — three games in seven days, including tough opponents in Europe and the Premier League. The manager said that the team would have to rely on its depth, mentioning how players like Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister could step up. “We have a big squad,” he said, “and we must use it.”
The next challenge comes quickly — a trip to Germany to face Eintracht Frankfurt. It is not just another game; it is a crucial European night. The atmosphere in Frankfurt will be fierce. The German side, known for their passionate fans and aggressive pressing, will see Liverpool’s recent struggles as a chance to strike. They will press high, attack with intensity, and look to exploit every weakness. Without Gravenberch and Alisson, Liverpool will have to show discipline and mental strength.
Slot is likely to make changes for this game. Curtis Jones could start in Gravenberch’s place, with Szoboszlai and Mac Allister forming the midfield trio. Jones, who came through the Liverpool academy, has experience in Europe and understands the club’s expectations. Szoboszlai, the Hungarian dynamo, brings energy and creativity, while Mac Allister provides intelligence and calmness. Together, they can rebuild the rhythm of the midfield — if they find the right balance.
Florian Wirtz, who was asked to play a more central role after Gravenberch’s injury, could also be key. The young German is a special talent, and Slot might turn to him again, giving him freedom to move between the lines and connect with the attack. Liverpool’s system under Slot depends heavily on movement, pressing, and quick passing — but without rhythm in midfield, it struggles to function properly.
The trip to Frankfurt comes with enormous pressure. Liverpool cannot afford another defeat. The confidence of the team is already fragile, and the supporters are anxious. They know that the club is in a period of transition under Slot, but patience in football is always short. A win in Germany could change the mood completely — it could restore belief, settle nerves, and show that Liverpool can fight through adversity. But a loss could deepen the crisis.
The injury to Gravenberch has not only affected the tactics but also the dressing room atmosphere. The players like him — he has become a respected voice among the squad despite being one of the younger ones. His energy in training, his focus, and his quiet confidence have made him popular. Seeing him limp off the pitch against United hit everyone hard. Slot admitted that the team will miss him against Frankfurt.
Later, Fabrizio Romano shared a post that confirmed the fears of many Liverpool fans. Slot had officially said that Ryan Gravenberch would not be available for the Frankfurt game. “Ryan is not available for the Frankfurt game,” he said, “hopefully he will be available at the weekend.” It was a short statement, but it carried the weight of reality. Liverpool would have to face a European test without one of their most important players.
The reaction among fans was mixed. Some were angry at the team’s luck with injuries, others questioned the intensity of Slot’s training sessions, and some simply expressed sadness. “Oh shet,” one fan commented under the Footstrike post, capturing the mood perfectly — a mix of shock, frustration, and disbelief. Injuries have been part of Liverpool’s story for years, and once again, they threaten to derail the season before it truly takes off.
But not everything is negative. There is still hope within the camp. Players like Jones and Mac Allister have shown before that they can rise to the occasion. Jones, in particular, has a history of stepping up in big moments. From his famous goal against Everton to his recent performances in the Europa League, he has proven he can handle pressure. Szoboszlai’s energy can drive the team forward, and Wirtz’s creativity could be the spark that turns things around.
Liverpool’s depth will be tested, but Slot has no choice but to trust his players. This is the moment when character is tested, when squads are judged not by their stars but by their unity. The Frankfurt game will reveal whether Liverpool can fight as a team even without their main man.
Injuries are part of football, but timing often determines their impact. And for Liverpool, the timing of Gravenberch’s injury could not have been worse. After three straight defeats, a home loss to their biggest rivals, and now a key absence, the team finds itself at a crossroads. Either they regroup and rediscover their strength, or they sink deeper into a cycle of frustration.
Inside the Liverpool training camp, the mood has been serious. Slot and his staff have been working on alternative formations. There is talk of trying a 4-2-3-1 shape to provide more stability in midfield. Mac Allister could play deeper alongside Endo if he recovers, while Szoboszlai and Wirtz push forward. The goal is to maintain control against Frankfurt’s aggressive style.
The fans, as always, remain hopeful but cautious. They know that European nights have a special magic for Liverpool — no matter the form, the club often finds strength under the lights. The memory of past comebacks, from Istanbul to Barcelona, still burns brightly. It reminds everyone that Liverpool are never truly beaten until the final whistle.
For Gravenberch, the focus now is recovery. The medical team will continue to monitor his ankle, and Slot has hinted that he could return by the weekend if progress is quick. But Liverpool will not take risks. The season is long, and losing him for months would be a bigger disaster than missing him for one game.
As Wednesday approaches, all attention turns to Frankfurt. The players know that this match is more than just another fixture — it is a chance to prove their character. Every pass, every tackle, every run will matter. The absence of Gravenberch will be felt, but football is about collective strength. This is when leaders must step forward — Salah, Van Dijk, Robertson — to guide the team through the storm.
Arne Slot’s project at Liverpool is still in its early stages. He is learning the league, the rhythm, the pressure, and the expectations. Every match is a lesson, and every setback is a test. Losing Gravenberch will hurt, but how the team reacts will define the direction of the season.
And so, the story continues. A wounded Liverpool prepares for battle in Germany. A team searching for rhythm, a manager searching for balance, and a fanbase searching for hope. They will walk into the Deutsche Bank Park knowing that eyes around Europe are watching. Without their main midfielder, they must find another way to win.
Sometimes in football, the best stories are written in moments like these — when everything seems to be falling apart, and yet a team rises from nowhere to remind everyone who they are. Liverpool have done it before. Now, they must do it again
