Ryan Gravenberch
This game will be won and lost in midfield. Presuming they both start, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister have to be on form against Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro in the Manchester United midfield.
Gravenberch has had an auspicious start to the season and looks to have finally found a home in Arne Slot‘s system.
Many wondered last season where Gravenberch’s best position is, but it goes to show that good footballers will always find a positional home.
While there have been significant changes in both camps since then, Liverpool should see their 5-0 win at Old Trafford in the Klopp era as something of a blueprint. Often an inconsistent performer, Naby Keita was outstanding that day, scoring Liverpool’s first goal and assisting the third.
Gravenberch needs to look as assured on the ball as he did against Brentford. Under the cosh at a baying Old Trafford early on, that can be easier said than done.
Having struggled for game time at Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and the Netherlands in recent years, it remains to be seen whether Gravenberch has enough experience to see it through.
This may be an unpopular statement in this day and age, but Liverpool should see this game as a learning curve, a trip to Manchester United with a young manager and squad. It could transpire to be a steep learning curve for Gravenberch too.
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