Andoni Iraola hoping Ryan Gravenberch can play through heel pain for Liverpool
The Netherlands midfielder missed the midweek defeat against Fenerbahce but could feature against Crystal Palace.
Andoni Iraola is hoping Ryan Gravenberch can play through the pain barrier and feature in Sunday’s Premier League game at Crystal Palace.
The Netherlands midfielder is struggling with a heel problem and was an unused substitute in last Sunday’s 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal before sitting out Wednesday’s 3-2 Champions League loss at Fenerbache.
Iraola, who has no new injury concerns, said: “It’s going to be just the (same), the only doubt we’ll have is Ryan.
“The other (injuries) will be the same as we’ve been, and because the Ryan Gravenberch thing is a day-to-day thing, it’s a matter of pain, and let’s see if he can deal with the pain and he can help us.”
Iraola will otherwise select from an unchanged squad, with Jeremie Frimpong (muscle), Hugo Ekitike (Achilles), Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni (both knee) still long-term absentees.
Following five straight wins in all competitions, Liverpool have slipped to back-to-back defeats and fans have turned the spotlight back on their side’s ineffectiveness in front of goal at both ends of the pitch.
“It’s not easy in the moment,” Iraola said. “Because we work the same way. When we lose a game, everyone is angry.
“But we have to have some perspective, and we know in the process there will be ups and downs and we have to get through this moment.
“We would love to have good performances, wins, good results. But normally it doesn’t happen. No, there are moments where you are in a good run, like we were before Arsenal.
“Now you lose two games and there are always doubts. I understand because as a supporter, I would do the same. It’s normal.
“But we work every day and we know what we are doing. We we are not as bad as we look today. We were not as good as we looked one week ago. We have to have some perspective.
“And this is part of my challenge, also in terms of mood for the group. You know, like obviously we need to correct things, especially the other day that cost us the goals from set plays (at Fenerbahce). But we still are doing good things.”
Iraola admitted his side have controlled possession without creating enough clear-cut chances in their last two matches and said his players needed to throw more caution to the wind.
“I think it’s a matter of controlling the games, but also sometimes we, for example, the other day against Fenerbahce, I think we were controlling the game sometimes too much.
“Sometimes we are in possession, we are having good positions, arriving. But sometimes we have to throw numbers inside the box, arrive with more players.
“(It) will take (from) us a little bit of control, yes, but it will give us more threat in the times we we arrive. And I think, especially against Arsenal, the way we attack the box has to be better.”
Iraola saluted teenage winger Rio Ngumoha after he retained his place in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the forthcoming Nations League matches.
The Spaniard added: “It is very good news for him and very good news for us.
“I think he’s always a threat when we can put him in good positions, to go against their opponents and I think he’s growing and he’s helping us a lot.”