Liverpool could have Gravenberch 2.0 as ‘excellent’ star ready to step up amid injury worry - opinion
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Ryan Gravenberch will likely be rested vs Eintracht Frankfurt after picking up an injury.The Reds do not have too much time to think about the fact they have lost four games in a row as their next game is on the horizon.They will be looking to put things right when they play Frankfurt in the Champions League, with Arne Slot expected to make a few changes.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. One might be more forced upon him, though rather than it being his choice as Gravenberch twisted his ankle against Man United, suggesting he will not be risked.This could be a huge blow for Liverpool, although looking at things a bit more optimistically, they might just have the perfect replacement ready to step into his shoes.Photo by Gerrit van Keulen/Soccrates/Getty ImagesCurtis Jones could be Liverpool’s holding midfielderLiverpool’s defence has been far too open at the start of this season, with this area of the pitch becoming a huge concern.Slot certainly has plenty of options to choose from, however, although certain stars simply have not been given the minutes their performances deserve.One of these is Curtis Jones, with the scouser starting just one league game so far this season, playing a total of 471 minutes across all competitions.But now with Gravenberch out, Slot could give him the chance to drop back and transition from a centre-midfielder to a holding midfielder, just like his teammate did last season.Jones is the type of player to thrive when given the chance too and would be happy to play anywhere, suggesting it might prove beneficial for everyone involved.READ MORE: ’Struggling’ Liverpool star is exactly who Arne Slot needs vs Frankfurt to stop losing streakOf course, Wataru Endo or even Trey Nyoni could play there instead, but Jones might just be the better option of them all.Curtis Jones deserves a chance to prove himselfEven if Jones does not get the nod to replace Gravenberch, then surely he comes into his usual position in midfield.
Not only has he looked sharp when coming off the bench, but the players ahead of him in the pecking order have not exactly covered themselves in glory.Alexis Mac Allister is just one player who has started the season off poorly, with his performances nowhere near the levels everyone would expect of him.So, for this game against Frankfurt, perhaps it is time to give someone else a chance, and being the only scouser in the team, no Liverpool fan wants to see a player succeed more than Jones who has proven before how ‘excellent’ he can be.