Liverpool have received a boost ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match against Aston Villa, with a key midfielder back in action — although not everyone is ready to return.
Gravenberch back in training before Villa clash
Arne Slot revealed in his pre-match press conference that Ryan Gravenberch has rejoined full training and could be involved at Anfield.
> “Ryan trained yesterday. The other two haven’t yet,” Slot told reporters.
“As I’ve said before, the final stage of recovery can sometimes speed up or slow down. We’ll see how things progress.”
The 23-year-old was withdrawn just after the hour mark during the 2–0 loss to Manchester United earlier this month, with early suggestions that he might miss as many as six weeks. However, that estimate now appears inaccurate, as Gravenberch could return after only three games — a much faster recovery than initially expected, according to early analysis via Physio Scout on X.
His return is a timely lift, especially with Curtis Jones and Alexander Isak ruled out for the weekend.
Curtis Jones absence a setback
Slot confirmed that Jones and Isak are “99.9 per cent” certain to miss the Villa fixture as they continue to recover from muscle injuries.
Jones’ absence is particularly disappointing after his standout showing against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, where he completed 122 passes — the most ever by a Liverpool player in the competition.
Liverpool will miss his calmness and control in midfield on Saturday.
Gravenberch’s return should help restore balance, especially after the recent defeat to Crystal Palace highlighted the need for experience in the middle of the pitch.
With Aston Villa, Real Madrid, and Manchester City coming up within ten days, Liverpool need rhythm and sharpness more than ever. Having Gravenberch available could be the spark that helps the champions regain momentum heading into a crucial stretch of the season.
Leave a Reply