Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has been ruled out of Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Fenerbahçe after Andoni Iraola confirmed the Dutch international is suffering from a heel fracture, with his availability for the weekend still uncertain.
The 24-year-old has remained on Merseyside rather than travelling with Liverpool’s squad to Istanbul and will receive treatment at the AXA Training Centre.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Iraola revealed that Gravenberch had been struggling with discomfort before Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Anfield and has shown no improvement since.
Asked whether the midfielder could return for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace, the Liverpool boss was unable to offer any guarantees.
“I don’t know, it’s a day-to-day thing,” Iraola said.
“It’s a fracture of the heel. It’s about the pain. He has been with some discomfort.
“The other day against Arsenal he was warming up and he was not fully confident. He hasn’t improved since then.
“But it’s going to be something that every day we ask him, every day we see how he is. If he can be available for the weekend, lovely, he would be a very good help for us. But I cannot tell you right now.”
Gravenberch was named among Liverpool’s substitutes against Arsenal but did not feature, with Iraola instead handing 19-year-old Trey Nyoni his first Premier League start alongside Alexis Mac Allister.
Nyoni retained his place in the starting line-up from the Carabao Cup win over Chelsea, while Gravenberch was on the bench against Arsenal. Iraola has now confirmed that the Dutchman was experiencing discomfort in his heel during the warm-up at Anfield.
Liverpool have not disclosed how Gravenberch suffered the fracture or given any indication of how long he might be out.
Iraola says his return depends on how he copes with the pain, and there is no guarantee he will be ready for Palace.
Midfield options for Iraola
With Gravenberch unavailable, Iraola must decide how to line up his midfield against Fenerbahçe as Liverpool look to build on three wins from their opening three Champions League matches.
Nyoni is one option after starting against Arsenal. Iraola also spoke positively about the youngster on Tuesday, saying he “is doing very well” and that the club “trust him”.
Mac Allister can operate in a deeper midfield role, while Dominik Szoboszlai is available after returning from injury as a substitute against Arsenal. All three have travelled to Istanbul.
Gravenberch offers something different with his ability to carry the ball through midfield, and Liverpool will have to find a way to compensate for that if his absence continues.
The Dutchman has made seven Premier League appearances this season, starting four. He also missed the league win at Brentford through suspension after being sent off against Manchester City last month.
Gravenberch signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool in March, having played an important part in the club’s 2024-25 Premier League title triumph.
For now, Liverpool must prepare for Wednesday’s 5.45pm kick-off in Istanbul without him. Sunday’s 2pm trip to Crystal Palace remains a possibility, but much will depend on how his heel responds over the coming days.
