Ryan Gravenberch kicked off his season with passes that led to three goals in Liverpool’s opener against Newcastle, but get this, two of those were for the opponent. Yeah, you read that right. Liverpool started their campaign under new head coach Andoni Iraola with a draw at Newcastle, and this bizarre “treble” from Gravenberch has everyone buzzing about the alarming defensive cracks already showing through. This isn’t the kind of hat trick you celebrate, folks.
Gravenberch’s Risky Business Is Hurting the Reds
It’s tough to pin everything on one guy, but Ryan Gravenberch found himself at the heart of the chaos against Newcastle. He misplaced two balls, one even from a backheel, losing possession around 80 yards from his own goal. What happened next? Newcastle hit them with lightning-fast counterattacks. The big problem was Gravenberch, a supposed defensive midfielder, was playing way too advanced, caught ahead of the ball when he needed to be behind it. Head coach Iraola even highlighted the risks, saying, “I understand that Ryan Gravenberch is basically the No 6 and is on the edge of the box, and if he shoots and scores then we are saying what a play from Ryan Gravenberch.” But he stressed the team has to adapt. The duties of committing a tactical foul, or subduing the opposition’s No 10, often fall to the defensive midfielder, and Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa absolutely ran the show, taking man of the match honors. Iraola admitted, “It’s not just because one person is playing there. It’s something we have to correct between a lot of players.” Still, when a player’s passes lead to opponents scoring, that’s a wild way to start the season.
Iraola’s New Vision and the Midfield Puzzle
The team being so easily opened up through the middle of the pitch is a huge issue, and it’s tied into Iraola’s new tactical approach. Under former coach Arne Slot, Liverpool looked more secure with a trio or even all four of their central midfielders, including Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Curtis Jones, on the field. But now, that balance is shaken up. Iraola brought in Florian Wirtz and plans to play him as a No 10, meaning a central midfield duo. This gives Szoboszlai a license to push into the box, but it leaves Gravenberch with even bigger defensive responsibilities. Iraola wants “front-foot football” with intense pressing, but there are already questions about whether a front led by Wirtz and Alexander Isak can truly deliver that high-octane pressure. Throw in two attack-minded full-backs who are encouraged to surge forward, and suddenly, the defensive vulnerabilities are glaring. The new setup needs three outfield players to hold position to give a base when in possession, especially those center-backs.
This isn’t just about Gravenberch, though his early season blunders put him right in the spotlight. It’s about how this whole team adapts to Iraola’s system. Can they figure out the midfield puzzle and tighten up defensively? The new era is here, but the questions are already piling up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply