Liverpool’s squad stood tall and delivered their manager a 3-1 win over Fulham on Sunday at Craven Cottage, with Ryan Gravenberch getting on the scoresheet with a well-taken goal.
Before a ball was kicked, many people’s eyes were drawn to Jurgen Klopp’s team selection and the brave calls made.
Yes, Liverpool played in midweek after getting knocked out of the Europa League, but Jarell Quansah returned to the XI, Ryan Gravenberch was handed a rare start, whilst Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah were benched.
In the end, it all paid off because Trent Alexander-Arnold opened the scoring with a stunning free-kick before Gravenberch put his team back ahead in the second half and Diogo Jota made sure of the points.
This was especially a huge game for someone like Gravenberch because it has been an up-and-down time for the midfielder following his summer transfer from Bayern Munich.
The 21-year-old is a highly-rated player, but since coming through the famous Ajax academy, he is yet to really push on and prove his worth.
Leon Osman highlighted that it’s ‘not been perfect’ for the Netherlands international this season, as he told Premier League Productions (21/04/24 at 6:40 pm).
But the former midfielder did notice how ‘really pleased’ his Liverpool teammates were when he scored at Craven Cottage.
Ryan Gravenberch’s goal for Liverpool
“It was a brilliant finish,” said Osman about Gravenberch’s goal.
“He gets his reward. He was the person who closed down Alex Iwobi, Liverpool lost the ball and he reacted first. He put a little bit of pressure on IwobI. That’s the Liverpool way and it has been under Jurgen Klopp. He was the player who made sure that Liverpool tried to win the ball back. It fell to him and it was a lovely finish.
“You can see how pleased his teammates were for him, it’s not been the perfect first season for him in a Liverpool shirt, but they were really pleased he got that important goal.”
Will Ryan Gravenberch start against Everton?
It’s the small matter of the Merseyside derby on Wednesday night, with the Reds making the short trip across Stanley Park.
Everton beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 on Sunday to ease their relegation fears, so you feel there will be less pressure on them heading into this game.
Klopp’s team selection will be interesting because he had a few big hitters on the bench at Craven Cottage.
Whilst someone like Salah might return to the XI, you suspect Gravenberch deserves to keep his place in the XI and he probably needs it if he wants to kick on.