Aasif Rahman

Thu 20 March 2025 11:07, UK

Liverpool fans have reacted all but unanimously about Arne Slot after a confirmed injury to one of their key players during what has already been a nightmare week for the club.

Slot and Liverpool will no doubt want to put the past week behind them. Their Champions League dreams came to a crushing end with a defeat to PSG, followed by a 2-1 loss in the Carabao Cup final to Newcastle.

It’s been a week of disappointment, and with the international break underway, Slot will now have to wait until his squad returns to action.

The Dutchman’s only signing of the season was Federico Chiesa, who joined on loan. While that may seem a light transfer window, Slot has shown his managerial prowess by guiding the team to a 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

However, one area that was not reinforced was midfield, despite strong Liverpool links to Martin Zubimendi.

The midfield has been integral to Liverpool’s dominance of this season’s Premier League with Ryan Gravenberch’s resurgence playing a key role. However, things are now looking even more challenging for Slot following the latest injury news.

Netherlands confirm Ryan Gravenberch has returned to Liverpool due to injury

The Dutch national team confirmed on X that Gravenberch had left the training camp after “still suffering from an injury sustained over the weekend” which has ruled him out of further action with the squad.

The 22-year-old has been a key figure for Liverpool, starting every Premier League match this season and making 41 appearances in total across all competitions.

Gravenberch has undergone a transformation under Slot’s management, stepping into a deeper midfield role that many felt would require significant investment from the club.

Despite the Reds initially agreeing a fee for Martin Zubimendi, the move collapsed at the last minute as the player chose to turn down the transfer, despite personal terms already being settled.

Football Insider revealed that Slot told Gravenberch “You are my main man” as he embraced the role of Liverpool’s number six, a position he has excelled in since. However, this latest injury update is yet another blow to an already difficult period for the club.

Liverpool fans slam Arne Slot amid Gravenberch injury and Endo’s lack of game time

Gravenberch’s regular involvement has meant that his deputy, Wataru Endo, has barely seen the field, with only around 700 minutes of game time and just four starts across all competitions.

This lack of rotation has frustrated many Liverpool supporters, with many pointing fingers at Slot. Fans have voiced their concerns on social media, expressing the sentiment that “Slot has run him into the ground” and that Gravenberch’s injury was “inevitable” given his heavy workload.