Arne Slot shares why he took Ryan Gravenberch off against Newcastle and if he’s back for Liverpool vs Everton

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Liverpool were far from at their best against Newcastle United in midweek.

In the end the Reds were disappointed only to take a point from the game, after Caoimhin Kelleher’s late mistake earned Newcastle a 3-3 draw.

However, on the balance of play, Liverpool did not deserve to take all three points.

The first-half in particular was poor, with former captain Phil Thompson pointing out that there were many things ‘not right’ about Liverpool on the night.

One thing that stood out more than others was the fact that Ryan Gravenberch struggled in midfield. Virtually perfect all season up to that point, Gravenberch was eventually substituted on 67 minutes.

Asked about the Dutchman’s performance and subsequent substitution during his press conference on Friday, Arne Slot explained what was going on with Gravenberch.

No fitness problem for Ryan Gravenberch

It was startling to see Gravenberch pressed into submission by the Newcastle midfield.

He was not the only one off the pace at St James’ Park, but the 22-year-old simply could not get a handle on Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.

And according to Slot, he simply felt that brining Dominik Szoboszlai into the mix was the right answer for Liverpool at the time.

“When it comes to Ryan the reason why I took him off was because in every single game he played it’s been almost impossible to take him off because he played so well!” said the Liverpool head coach.

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“This game, the first-half wasn’t his best, like the whole team. First ten minutes [of the second-half], we started to play better, he as well.

“But this was a game where I felt that someone else could do, as a minimum, the same, and that would rest him a bit as well because he’s played so, so, so many games already.

“Plus, we were 2-1 down so it was maybe a smart decision to go more attacking. So, there were a few factors behind taking him off. But he will start tomorrow [vs Everton].”

Ryan Gravenberch set for Merseyside Derby start

While Gravenberch was poor against Newcastle, it’s good to hear that he is ready to go again.

Slot will need the former Ajax man back to his best for the Merseyside Derby, given that Alexis Mac Allister is suspended.

Slot is expected to bring Szoboszlai back to start against Everton, with Curtis Jones likely to be the third midfielder.

Wednesday’s game on Tyneside was the first Premier League or Champions League match of the season in which Gravenberch has come off before the 89th minute.

Hopefully the slightly elongated rest is what he will need to return to the silky operator we’ve seen all campaign on Saturday.