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Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool(Image: Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

It's been easy to forget during an unprecedented summer for Liverpool.

But amid all the new signings and debates over possible departures, there's one player who will definitely not be lining up for the Reds when they begin the Premier League season at home to Bournemouth on August 15.

The red card for Ryan Gravenberch during the campaign finale against Crystal Palace at Anfield last May means the Dutchman, who had featured in all bar one top-flight game last season on the way to Arne Slot's side winning the championship, will serve a one-match Premier League suspension.

Gravenberch's temporary absence is a further strand to what has not been an easy pre-season for Liverpool as they regroup ahead of the defence of their title.

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The tragic death of Diogo Jota has not only shorn the squad of one of its most popular members and the forward line of arguably its more natural finisher, it has understandably also disrupted planned preparations.

The Reds are therefore not quite operating with the same collective sharpness and understanding as many of their expected rivals, with the added complication of having to integrate a raft of new signings to which more are likely to be added by the September 1 transfer deadline.

Indeed, the long-term emotional impact of Jota's passing will only truly emerge over time and must be a consideration deeper into the campaign.

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The immediate concentration for some players, though, will be staking their claim to line up in Gravenberch's place against Bournemouth.

The double-header against Athletic Bilbao on Monday at Anfield is the next assignment, although the Community Shield clash with Palace at Wembley six days later will be more instructive.

Of course, with Alexis Mac Allister having only returned to action with a 30-minute cameo in the 3-1 win over Yokohama F Marinos on Wednesday, Gravenberch's regular midfield partner last season is further behind in his pre-season work than most of his colleagues.

However, the expectation is Mac Allister will be available for the Premier League opener.

So, who could line up alongside the Argentina international at the base of the engine room?

Trey Nyoni, the 18-year-old Academy graduate, has impressed this summer and took another step in his development with his well-taken goal in Japan, but remains very much one for the future.

Tyler Morton has also featured in the position but is being lined up for an exit with French side Lyon now front-runners despite initially baulking at Liverpool's asking price in excess of £10million.

And while Wataru Endo has featured in defensive midfield in recent weeks, it was telling he was used as a centre-back on his return to his homeland in midweek.

Which leaves two players.

Curtis Jones has quietly impressed during his time on the pitch - claiming an assist of sorts for Florian Wirtz's goal against Yokohama - and last season demonstrated his ability to operate in a number of roles.

Dominik Szoboszlai, though, has been one of Liverpool's best performers of the warm-up programme, reacting positively to the challenge to his regular starting role by the arrival of £116m attacking midfielder Wirtz despite being shifted around the team by Slot.

He contributed to goals while playing at right-back in the behind-closed-doors win over Stoke City and struck a magnificent effort when in a central midfield pairing behind two numbers 10s in Wirtz and Harvey Elliott.

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And Szoboszlai again caught the eye on Wednesday alongside Gravenberch on the left side of the double pivot with Wirtz ahead of the duo, highlighting there will be no issues when the Hungarian and the new boy are in the starting line-up.

Slot won't want to simply crowbar talent into the team and will pick players accordingly.

And with the Reds boss likely to lean more on rotation this season, there will be plenty of chances for the entire midfield.
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