Ryan Gravenberch was a notable absentee from Liverpool’s matchday squad for the Community Shield on Sunday, with Arne Slot revealing the reason for his absence.
The Dutchman was among the first names on the teamsheet last season for Liverpool, but misses out on Sunday’s Community Shield due to personal reasons.
He and his partner, Cindy Peroti, were expecting a daughter, and Slot revealed prior to kickoff against Crystal Palace that he “became a dad last night (Saturday).”
In his place, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones start at the base of midfield, with Alexis Mac Allister starting from the bench after Slot explained he is not fit enough for 90 minutes.
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Gravenberch’s absence means we will not see him on the pitch until the trip to Newcastle in the second Premier League match of the new season on August 25.
He will serve a one-match suspension against Bournemouth on Friday after being shown a red card in the final game against the Eagles last season, with the punishment carrying over to 2025/26.
Liverpool’s No. 38 was not the only notable absentee from Sunday’s squad, with Kostas Tsimikas left out of the 20-man squad.
• READ: Kostas Tsimikas left out of Liverpool squad due to transfer interest
This Is Anfield understands Tsimikas’ absence comes with widespread interest in a transfer, including from Premier League side Nottingham Forest.
Milos Kerkez instead starts at left-back with Andy Robertson taking up a place on the bench, with starts for fellow new signings Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong.