The Reds are without a key figure in midfield, thanks to an incident from last season.
Ryan Gravenberch was almost ever-present for Liverpool in 2024-25 as they embarked on a procession to Premier League glory.
The all-action midfielder featured in 37 league games, chipping in with four assists, and he also featured nine times in the Champions League. However, he is not in the Reds' squad for the first game of their title defence at Anfield.
Here, GOAL explains why the Netherlands international is not featuring in the 2025-26 Premier League opener.
Why Ryan Gravenberch is not playing for Liverpool vs Bournemouth
Gravenberch is not playing in Liverpool's opening game of the season against Bournemouth because he is suspended.
The midfielder was sent off in the final game of the 2024-25 season against Crystal Palace after receiving a red card for a foul on Daichi Kamada.
While the Liverpool star had already received a yellow card for simulation earlier in the game, referee Darren England produced a straight red card following the foul on Kamada, due to its severity and since Gravenberch was the last defender.
Curtis Jones deputised for Gravenberch in the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace last week and could be primed to start again against Bournemouth. However, the Reds will be without Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez, with the defensive duo out of action due to injury.
When is Ryan Gravenberch back?
The suspension that carried over from last season is just for one game, so Gravenberch will be available for selection again when Liverpool play Newcastle United at St James' Park on August 25, 2025.
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