Liverpool fans expressed their frustration on X after Arne Slot included Ryan Gravenberch in the starting XI to face newly-promoted Ipswich Town. The Dutchman is set to oversee his first official game in charge of the Reds since replacing Jurgen Klopp this summer at Portman Road today (August 17).
Alisson Becker starts in goal for Liverpool. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson make up the defense. The midfield consists of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Diaz, and Mohamed Salah. Diogo Jota is the lone forward up front with the Reds lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Gravenberch is set to start alongside Mac Allister in a double pivot in Liverpool’s midfield. The 22-year-old is traditionally a central midfielder so it will be interesting to see how he fares playing a deeper role after Martin Zubimendi rejected an offer to join the Reds.
Some fans were unhappy to see Gravenberch starting as a No. 6 over Wataru Endo, with one user posting on X:
“Gravenberch starting away from home against a newly promoted team… recipe for disaster.”
Another fan wrote:
“Gravenberch playing, congratulations Ipswic
“Gravenberch ahead of Jones or Elliott is wild,” one fan commented.
“Honestly I like it but I’d rather endo over gravenberch if we’re playing the double pivot,” another added.
“Gravenberch starting has genuinely killed my mood and excitement for today man fu** off,” one fan reacted.
“Gravenberch in the 6 should be okay today where we should have 60+plus % of possession. Clear Slot is no fan of Endo. And suspect he has same doubts about Jones in there as the rest of us have,” another chimed in.
“I’d start Szoboszlai and MacAllister in the double pivot but i suspect Gravenberch starts in there. Not a fan of him there don’t think he has aggression or fight for the role. But Slot has been badly let down by Edwards and Hughes so his options in there are badly limited,” one fan suggested.
“His future is with us” – Liverpool boss Arne Slot clarifies Luis Diaz’s future at Anfield ahead of Ipswich fixture
Liverpool manager Arne Slot shut down rumors linking Luis Diaz with a move away from Anfield this summer during the Ipswich Town pre-match press conference (August 16).
Diaz looked impressive during the Reds’ 4-1 pre-season win against Sevilla, scoring a brace. Despite appearing to be content at the club, the Colombian has been linked with moves to Barcelona and Manchester City.
However, Slot assured the Anfield faithful that he is happy with Diaz, telling the club’s official website:
“When I walked in here, there was a screen from Sky Sports and I said, ‘The whole day it’s talking about football?’ So there is a lot of speculation constantly in this country, that is clear for me.”
“So it’s not a surprise if I hear you saying there is also [that about] Luis Diaz. Is there any player they don’t talk about? A few, OK! His future is with us because I like a lot what I’ve seen in the last 10 days that he’s in and I saw the same last season.”
He added:
“He’s had a big impact on Liverpool seasons and I’m hoping that he has a big impact in the upcoming season as well.”
The 27-year-old will be aiming to be amongst the goals and assists this season. Diaz has made 98 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool, scoring 24 goals and 13 assists for the Anfield outfit.
