(Credit: Getty, Imago)

Edward Bazeley

Mon 11 August 2025 7:00, UK

Ryan Gravenberch was absent from the action when Liverpool lost to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on Sunday.

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The Reds played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with the Eagles before losing 3-2 on penalties, with Mohamed Salah blazing a spot kick over the crossbar.

Gravenberch was not involved in the action at Wembley on 10 August, after his partner gave birth on Saturday, 9 August.

The Netherlands international excelled as Liverpool won the Premier League title last season, but could face an uphill battle to get back into Arne Slot’s lineup.

Jones excelled for Liverpool against Palace (Credit: Mark Cosgrove/News Images)

Thanks to Gravenberch’s absence, Curtis Jones played alongside Dominik Szoboszlai as a deep-lying midfielder against Crystal Palace.

Last season, the Dutchman was a metronome in the middle of the park for Arne Slot’s men in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Jones performed that role to perfection against Crystal Palace by maintaining a pass accuracy of 100 per cent.

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Jurgen Klopp previously told the Liverpool official website back in 2020 that the academy graduate was ‘perfect’.

Therefore, Gravenberch could struggle to get himself back into Slot’s starting 11 amid the increased competition for midfield places.

Florian Wirtz’s arrival means that Szoboszlai is now battling for a deeper midfield spot, as opposed to the playmaker role.

There is no denying that Gravenberch remains a class act for Liverpool, while his performances last season proved that he is one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.

Curtis Jones statsAll competitions 2024/25Appearances46Goals3Assists6Jones had a strong season for Liverpool last term

However, Jones’ showing in the defeat to Crystal Palace showed that the 24-year-old is in strong form heading into the new top-flight season.

Meanwhile, Liverpool take on Bournemouth in their Premier League opener on Friday, 15 August, and will look to impose themselves against an inferior Cherries outfit.

Gravenberch helped the Reds establish defensive stability last season, but he notched a return of zero goals and four assists in 37 top-flight outings.

Contrastingly, Jones proved to be a more creative player in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign by scoring three goals and producing three assists.

Bournemouth have weakened defensively in the summer transfer market, as Milos Kerkez has joined Liverpool, whereas Dean Huijsen moved to Real Madrid.

Consequently, Slot should opt to pick a more attacking option by choosing Jones over Gravenberch.

Elsewhere, former FIFA referee Keith Hackett told Liverpool News 247 that the Reds were lucky not to concede a second penalty against Crystal Palace.

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