Didi Hamann believes that Liverpool’s biggest loss would not be Alisson Becker but another important star who controls the game.
The Reds have had a mixed injury record this season, with Alisson being the most recent long-term injury, alongside Giovanni Leoni’s season-long ACL injury, but many of their top stars have had a cleaner bill of health.
There was a worry over the international break that a crisis was beginning to appear with Ibrahima Konate unable to play for France and Ryan Gravenberch being taken off in the final Netherlands game around half-time.
Fortunately, given the comments from Arne Slot and pictures in training, it seems both are fitter than they were over the past week, and it is likely that the Dutchman will start at the very least.
Admittedly, despite Konate’s form, both would have been a bitter blow to this Liverpool side if they were out for the Manchester United game because of how important a fixture it is.
Didi Hamann says Ryan Gravenberch would be Liverpool’s biggest loss
Sadly, the Brazilian goalkeeper will be out for at least the next three fixtures, but luckily, Giorgi Mamardashvili is a good replacement for the world-class star.
Hamann was asked in a recent ESPN appearance about who out of the three recent injuries would be the biggest loss currently to this Slot side, given they are second in the Premier League.
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The German believed that the Frenchman would not be a big loss; however, he did find it difficult between the other two before settling on Gravenberch being the biggest.
On the broadcast, he explained: “Well, it won’t be Konate the way he’s playing at the moment. Well, Mamardashvili, come in now. The keeper, he’s done okay. He might be capable of doing it.
“I think that holding role if you want to win a game, you need to control the game, and you win the games in midfield. It’s the engine room and Gravenberch was probably the player of the season last year. As much as I wouldn’t like to lose Alisson and I probably would say the moment Gravenberch.”
Ryan Gravenberch will be one of the most important players against Manchester United
The Dutch midfielder has proved once again this season that he is up there with some of the best in the world with his performances from that central defensive midfielder role.
It is through his versatility in that role of moving forward that he could be crucial against United.
Where this Red Devils side have struggled with conceding is the gaps that they leave with their three at the back with a two wing-back formation, creating the perfect space for a player like Gravenberch to exploit.
He will be an integral part of creating chances for Liverpool in this game, and given how well he has performed, this may be another perfect chance for him to score a goal.
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