Ryan Gravenberch has confirmed he expects to make his return from injury for Liverpool against Aston Villa
Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool interact in the stands prior to the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield
Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
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Ryan Gravenberch has handed Liverpool an injury boost after declaring himself fit to face Aston Villa on Saturday. The Netherlands international has missed the Reds’ last three matches after suffering a twisted ankle against Manchester United.
The 23-year-old suffered the issue early in the second half after challenging Bryan Mbuemo. And while he initially tried to play, he was ultimately forced off just after the hour-mark.
The midfielder has since missed Liverpool’s victory over Eintracht Frankfurt and defeats to Brentford and Crystal Palace. But Arne Slot confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Friday morning that his fellow Dutchman was in contention to make his comeback against Villa after returning to training on Thursday.
"Ryan trained yesterday, (Alexander) Isak and (Curtis) Jones didn't yet,” he said. "Timescale? I have said many times, the end phase of the injury, things can go slower or faster. Let's wait and see where they are.
"Ryan trained yesterday and with us today and we'll make the call if he can start. The other two 99.9% not in the squad."
And after coming through training unscathed on Friday, Gravenberch is now itching to return to action.
“Yes, yes. I feel really confident,” he said when asked by club media if he could feature against Villa. “Yesterday I had a session, today as well. If everything is good, I will be there tomorrow.”
With Jones an injury doubt and Alexis Mac Allister still not back to his best following long-term injury, the Dutchman’s availability helps bolster Slot’s numbers.
But Gravenberch’s return is also a welcome boost to Liverpool as they look to end a wretched run that has seen them lose their last four Premier League matches and six of their last seven games in all competitions. Unsurprisingly, the midfielder is desperate to help the Reds reverse their fortunes - starting with Villa on Saturday.
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“(It would be) really important (for me to get back and help us turn things around),” he said. “Everyone around here, also the fans and us, need to go back to winning ways.
“As a team we have to stick together. Everyone has to stick together, to be honest. Stick together, do the basic things right again and see from there.
“It's a huge week but the most important thing is to go game by game. That is Villa tomorrow and we have to be ready for that.
“They're really good now. It will be a tough game. We know they are really good also on the counter-attack, so we have to prepare for that as well. But I think if we do the basic things right again, we have a good chance that we will get a result.”