Why going on international duty could provide Ryan Gravenberch with a major boost when he returns to Liverpool

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.

Ryan Gravenberch has lost his place in the Liverpool starting XI for the first time in more than two years after the arrival of Andoni Iraola.The 24-year-old struggled to make an impact during Jurgen Klopp’s final season with the Reds in 2023/24, but after establishing himself as Arne Slot’s regular No. 6, Gravenberch emerged as one of the first names on the team sheet the following season.It has not all been plain sailing since then, but the Dutchman had still expected to be a starter alongside Dominik Szoboszlai in Andoni Iraola’s midfield two this term.

That has not happened, and that he played only nine minutes of Sunday’s win over Bournemouth – and saw Trey Nyoni brought on ahead of him – did not paint a rosy picture of Gravenberch’s way back into the team. How would you rate Andoni Iraola's start at Liverpool?

Gravenberch is set to play under the guidance of new Netherlands manager Xavi, one of the greatest midfielders of all time, for the first time, and it could be the ideal chance for him to bring back some confidence to his game.Gravenberch can learn from XaviThough the appointment of Xavi to the Netherlands national team is undoubtedly something of a strange one to the outside world, Gravenberch would surely have been delighted to see the Barcelona legend take charge.At 24, he should remember watching Xavi in his peak, and as a midfielder who is still yet to hit his best, there could be few better people to learn from.Just as Florian Wirtz will hopefully feel the benefit of working with Jurgen Klopp through the extended three-week break, Gravenberch should take the chance to glean some pearls of wisdom from Xavi.READ MORE: Netherlands boss Xavi shares what he thinks about Virgil van Dijk’s current form for LiverpoolIf he can take what he learns, bring it back and apply it to training with Liverpool, he should be pushing Alexis Mac Allister harder once the domestic calendar resumes in October.Gravenberch could start against Man CityWhile Mac Allister clearly has the shirt for now, it is also worth pointing out that the international windows have often been unkind to the Argentine.The travel seems to impact on him far more than other players, and both Klopp and Arne Slot learnt that he occasionally needs to sit out of the first Liverpool game back.It remains to be seen if Iraola feels the same, but it is not especially ideal that the Reds face Manchester City in their return to the Premier League on Sunday, October 11th. That will mean Gravenberch is far better rested, and could make him the favourite to play against City.If he can take whatever Xavi imparts to him and put it into practice both in training and on the pitch, Gravenberch can claw himself back into the midfield picture sooner than many perhaps anticipated.