Injuries Disrupt Liverpool’s Rhythm
Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield not only caused frustration on the field but also presented a new challenge for Arne Slot. Ryan Gravenberch, who had only recently returned to the starting lineup alongside Alexis Mac Allister, had to leave the match early in the second half due to an ankle twist sustained during a tackle with Bryan Mbeumo.
Although Gravenberch was able to walk off unaided, his discomfort was evident. With Wataru Endo already sidelined, Slot now faces a midfield conundrum at a particularly challenging time.
Slot Provides Careful Update on Gravenberch
Following the match, Slot indicated that the Dutch midfielder is unlikely to participate in the upcoming midweek match.
“I took him off because he twisted his ankle,” Slot stated. “Is he a concern for injury? We will have to wait and see tomorrow, but we have to play again in two days.”
“We have three matches scheduled in seven days, similar to after the last international break. Recovery time is limited, but fortunately, we have several capable midfielders.”
Liverpool will be heading to Eintracht Frankfurt for a Champions League match on Wednesday. Slot will need to revise his game plan after switching to a more aggressive setup following Gravenberch’s departure, tasking Florian Wirtz and Curtis Jones with central responsibilities.
Missed Opportunities Overshadow Refereeing Issues
Mac Allister also encountered a head injury just before Mbeumo’s early goal. Referee Michael Oliver allowed play to continue, which frustrated Slot, although he refrained from holding the officiating responsible for the loss.
“We should have performed much better after Macca went down,” Slot acknowledged. “However, ensuring a player’s health is paramount. If a player requires four stitches, it’s crucial that everyone understands he needs urgent medical attention.
“But that did not happen. Regardless, we could have executed our play better, and that isn’t the sole reason for our defeat; we simply missed too many chances to win a football match.”
Pressure Intensifies on Slot’s Strategy
This result marked Liverpool’s fourth consecutive home defeat to United, a streak not seen since 2014, leading to immediate criticism. Some labeled Slot’s tactics as “indecipherable,” as Ruben Amorim accomplished back-to-back league victories.
Liverpool now finds itself four points behind Arsenal, and speculation suggests the title race has already slipped away. Whether or not this perspective is justified, Slot’s immediate priority will be to facilitate Gravenberch’s swift recovery, as his absence narrows the team’s options significantly.
