Ryan Gravenberch absence explained as Liverpool missing 4 players vs Crystal Palace

Ryan Gravenberch and Kostas Tsimikas are both surprise absentees for Liverpool as the Reds prepare to kick off the new season at Wembley today.

Arne Slot’s side takes on Crystal Palace as the Premier League champions face the FA Cup holders for the first piece of silverware in the 2025/26 campaign.

After a busy summer in which it has spent nearly $400 million in the transfer market, Liverpool will be aiming to lay down an early marker, and send a message to the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal before the new league season gets underway in just five days.

As expected, the Reds are without the injured Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez, with the pair having picked up injuries during pre-season.

What wasn’t expected though were the absences of Gravenberch and Tsimikas, with the duo having not traveled with the rest of their teammates for today’s game.

The former had been expected to be involved, despite carrying a suspension after receiving a red card in Liverpool’s final game of the 2024/25 season - coincidentally against Palace.

Gravenberch would have been available for the clash at Wembley, with his ban only in force in the Premier League, although the midfielder will have to wait a little longer now for his first appearance of the new season.

The Dutch international misses out after his partner gave birth to their first child on Friday, with Slot confirming the news when he spoke at Wembley ahead of the game.

As for Tsimikas, the left-back is understood to have been left out amid increasing interest over a permanent transfer away from Anfield. Nottingham Forest is among the teams thought to be keen, but it is by no means alone in that.

While Liverpool has four players missing at Wembley, the Reds do have some big players returning, most notably Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker, both of whom missed the friendlies against Athletic Club at Anfield.

Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong all make their competitive debuts for Liverpool meanwhile as they look to nail down their spots in Slot’s side ahead of Friday’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth.

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