Liverpool need ‘completely fit’ Ryan Gravenberch to fire vs Manchester United

Liverpool return to Premier League action on Sunday with a huge grudge match against Manchester United at Anfield — a fixture always charged with history, rivalry and tension. The reigning champions haven’t been at their best this term, losing three games in a row before the international break, and desperately need a statement performance to spark their campaign back into life.

Arne Slot’s side underwent a summer rebuild that included the signing of Alexander Isak to freshen up the forward line, but the key to Liverpool’s success this weekend may not lie up front. If they are to get back on track and reignite belief, Ryan Gravenberch’s presence and control in midfield could be the deciding factor.

The Dutch midfielder was one of Liverpool’s most consistent performers last season, acting as the team’s glue in possession and their spark during transitions. His ability to glide through pressure and link play between defence and attack gives Slot’s system the rhythm it needs.

Gravenberch featured for the Netherlands in their 4–0 win over Finland earlier this week but was substituted at half-time by Ronald Koeman, prompting mild concern among Liverpool fans. Slot, however, quickly reassured supporters that the 23-year-old is “completely fit” for Sunday’s clash — and that’s vital news for the Reds.

Liverpool can expect to dominate possession against a United team that tends to defend deep and look for counters under Rúben Amorim. If the visitors persist with Bruno Fernandes in a deeper midfield role, Gravenberch will see that as an invitation to dictate play and exploit the gaps that open up in transitions.

Operating with a three-man midfield will give Liverpool numerical superiority in central areas, allowing Gravenberch to pick passes into Isak and Mohamed Salah, who thrive on early service. For United, the challenge will be closing him down quickly enough to prevent that orchestration.

When Gravenberch is at full tilt, Liverpool play at a different tempo altogether. His forward surges from midfield often pull opposition lines out of shape, freeing space for wide players like Gakpo to isolate defenders one-on-one. Without him, Slot’s side can look static — too reliant on long switches or hopeful diagonals.

In matches against top-six opponents last season, Liverpool averaged 1.9 goals per game when Gravenberch started, compared to just 1.1 when he was absent. His passing accuracy under pressure (87%) and ball-carrying distance per 90 minutes (progressing the ball over 170 metres) illustrate how he directly drives Liverpool’s attacking rhythm. Against United’s compact shape, that ability to break the first line of press could make the difference.

In my view, Gravenberch remains Liverpool’s midfield metronome — the player who dictates both tempo and transitions. If he’s genuinely “completely fit,” as Slot insists, Liverpool have every reason to be confident of dominating the middle third against their biggest rivals.

FootballPlace analyst Liam Rowe adds: “When Gravenberch is fit, Liverpool’s midfield feels balanced and unpredictable. He’s the difference between control and chaos — and that’s exactly what you need in a match of this magnitude.”

Liverpool enter a demanding six-week run including Premier League, Champions League and EFL Cup fixtures. Maintaining Gravenberch’s fitness through this congested spell could be key to keeping pace with Arsenal and Manchester City in the title race.

For the player himself, a strong performance against United would reaffirm his status as one of Slot’s untouchable starters — and a reminder of why Liverpool built their midfield around him.

👉 Will a fully fit Ryan Gravenberch be the spark Liverpool need to overpower Manchester United at Anfield?