Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is being backed to start against Manchester City by pundit Danny Murphy.
Ryan Gravenberch would be perfect to start in Liverpool’s midfield against Manchester City this weekend.
That is according to pundit Danny Murphy, who has been speaking to the Daily Mail.
The final international break of 2023 is ending in just a few days and Premier League action will take centre stage once again.
The Premier League will return with a bang on Saturday with Liverpool facing Manchester United in the lunchtime kick-off.
Danny Murphy backs Ryan Gravenberch to start for Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp won’t be happy that Liverpool are – yet again – playing in the early kick-off straight after an international break.
This will be a fascinating encounter though with Liverpool showing real signs of a Premier League title push this season.
Beating City would really show those credentials and Pep Guardiola’s men haven’t exactly been in top form of late and Liverpool may sense a chance to claim a big win.
Pundit and former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has now told the Daily Mail that he thinks Liverpool can take a page out of Chelsea’s book.
The Blues did a fine job of trying to nullify City midfielder Rodri by using Cole Palmer infield when out of possession.
Murphy now feels that Liverpool can do something similar, tipping midfielder Ryan Gravenberch as being ‘ideal’ for the job of pushing forward from midfield to make runs around Rodri.
Murphy believes that Gravenberch can really cause Rodri a problem with his runs forward and thinks he will be ‘fresh’ after not going on international duty.
“They need to try to defuse the influence of Rodri, who last lost a match for his club back in February (a personal run of 38 matches). Chelsea found a way last weekend. Cole Palmer switched from the right wing into a No10 position for the second half and it gave the Spaniard a headache,” said Murphy.
“Liverpool could do something similar. Either by detailing one of their midfielders Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch or Cody Gakpo to push up and make runs in behind Rodri, or for one of the wide players to drop inside and give the City linchpin an extra something to think about.”
“Gravenberch would be ideal. He has the athleticism to get into the box and cause Rodri a problem. And having had a rest in international week, he’ll be fresh,” he added.
Gravenberch must prove his fitness this week
Gravenberch has been showing encouraging signs in the Liverpool midfield but a starting role against City isn’t nailed on.
The Dutchman missed the win over Brentford before the international break having picked up a knee problem.
The expectation is that Gravenberch will be back for this weekend’s game with This Is Anfield claiming that his injury should clear in time to play.
Klopp must then decide whether Gravenberch is fit enough to start, as he can’t really take any risks in such a big game.
If Gravenberch is fit and ready to go, we would expect to see him start and potentially push up to challenge Rodri with direct runs into the box and high pressing in the final third.
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