Ryan Gravenberch has found himself facing the prospect of becoming a squad player after his abysmal performance against Newcastle United.
Since the 2-2 draw on the opening day of the season, Gravenberch has been benched twice. He started the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest from the bench and was excluded once again for the 2-0 win over Ipswich Town on Friday night.
Iraola has seemingly preferred Alexis Mac Allister to the Dutchman, who has admittedly provided a lot more control in the middle of the park.
No player has been dispossessed more times (7) than Ryan Gravenberch in the Premier League this season. ?? pic.twitter.com/u1yr40KZU1
— WhoScored (@WhoScored) September 2, 2026
A double pivot of Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai left Liverpool all too exposed in the middle of the pitch, and the Dutchman now looks set to become second fiddle to Szobo and Macca.
Since the incredible season Gravenberch had in the title-winning 2025 season, his performances have fallen off a cliff, and it’s now reached a point where it’s not entirely clear what his best role is, particularly in Iraola’s system.
In March 2026, Gravenberch put pen to paper on a contract until 2032 worth £280,000. At the time, there was a sense that the deal was too lucrative and perhaps too eagerly awarded. For reference, only Virgil, Isak and Szoboszlai earn more than Gravenberch.
Now, the 24-year-old really is a brilliant player. This article is not about how he shouldn’t be earning the wage he is, but rather about how his Liverpool career has reached a critical crossroads.
Ryan Gravenberch poor game vs Newcastle. Dropped.
Frimpong poor game vs Forest. Dropped.
Andoni Iraola ain't messing about
— Anything Liverpool (@AnythingLFC_) September 4, 2026
If Iraola really doesn’t see the former Ajax and Bayern ace as a starter in his best midfield, then Liverpool will have a major decision on their hands fairly soon.
If he’s not in Iraola’s first-choice plans, can Liverpool really justify keeping a £280,000-a-week player on the bench?
It looks like Ryan Gravenberch is out of favour with Iraola.
— Anfield Edition | æ (@AnfieldEdition) September 4, 2026
Of course, there is a vast number of games to play this season, and Liverpool will need Gravenberch because Macca and Szobo can’t play every game, but it’s a question for the sporting director that the club hires to replace Richard Hughes to answer.
There is also talk of Liverpool signing Lamine Camara in the January transfer window, which will further infringe on the minutes available to Gravenberch.
Part of the problem facing the Dutch midfielder is that Iraola likes to have a No.10 in his midfield, which removes a No.8 from the equation, and Gravenberch is currently the player sitting on the fringes.
This is by no means a crisis. He has only started two games on the bench, but if this becomes the norm, it will bear more scrutiny.