Ryan Gravenberch absence explained as Liverpool midfielder misses opening game vs Bournemouth

Ryan Gravenberch will be absent from Liverpool's Premier League curtain-raiser against Bournemouth on Friday. The English top flight makes its return, with Arne Slot's side taking center stage.

Liverpool may be without several crucial players for their opening encounter, but Gravenberch's unavailability is guaranteed. The Dutch midfielder is completing a one-match ban following his red card dismissal in the Reds' final fixture of last campaign against Crystal Palace at Anfield.

Gravenberch's suspension rules him out of the Premier League opener, though he will be available for Liverpool's next away game, the journey to face Newcastle United at St James' Park on August 25.

Speaking about Gravenberch's unavailability during Thursday's press conference, Slot remarked: "I think last Sunday, the chances we conceded was that we lost the ball easily in midfield and we could be counter-attacked.

"Ryan always takes care of the ball but everyone can lose it, so I am not sure how much we missed him last week.

"But it is clear Ryan has had a big impact last year. People probably forgot how he got suspended, one was for a dive! One team is too honest in this league - Cody [Gakpo] got a push in his back v Palace! - we are very clean, never dive and we have a suspension now for a player diving for a first yellow card last year.

"[Alexis Mac-Allister] Macca had a bit of a different pre-season than we would like but he is back fit now so I still have a choice to make."

Liverpool is also grappling with injuries and may have to play without Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley.

In his program notes, Slot wrote: "We know that this will be a tough beginning for us, and if we needed any reminder of that, then the FA Community Shield last weekend provided it.

"Crystal Palace, remember, were the team that finished 12th in the Premier League last season, and you saw at Wembley the quality that they have in their team.

"I expect similar from Bournemouth, who finished ninth in the table last year and who have a lot of very good players and, in Andoni Iraola, a very good manager too. We welcome them to our home, of course.

"From our perspective, there have been a lot of positives from our pre-season, as well as a few areas we clearly need to improve in.

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