Jurgen Klopp provides Gravenberch update after injury in first Liverpool start

21 September 2023 , 18:26

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Ryan Gravenberch made his first start for Liverpool on Thursday (Image: AP)

Jurgen Klopp has played down Ryan Gravenberch's injury as "cramp" after he was forced off in his first start for Liverpool.

The Netherlands international, who came off the bench to make his Reds debut against Wolves on Saturday, was named in the starting XI for Thursday's Europa League clash with LASK, but needed treatment after pulling up following a run forward.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was not prepared to take any risks with the midfielder he signed this summer from Bayern Munich and substituted him for Mohamed Salah. He later said: "Ryan played a super game and was really decisive for us," adding that he was merely suffering from a touch of cramp.

Gravenberch made a positive impact on Thursday night, teeing up Luis Diaz's goal to give Liverpool the lead after they fell behind against their Austria opposition.

LASK went ahead in 14 minutes following a corner in which Florian Flecker was picked out on the edge of the penalty area. He took a touch before drilling a shot through a crowd of players past Caoimhin Kelleher.

Jurgen Klopp's approach with Robert Lewandowski bodes well for Darwin Nunez

Liverpool improved after the break and equalised from a 56th-minute penalty. Diaz was brought down by Philipp Zeireis after Harvey Elliott, Ben Doak and Stefan Bajcetic had combined down the right and Darwin Nunez powered home from the spot.

Mohamed Salah came off the bench to net for the Reds (PA)

Eight minutes later, Liverpool were ahead when Nunez and Elliott combined to send Gravenberch racing down the right and his low cross was turned home by Diaz. Salah, who came on for the injured Dutchman, put the game to bed with Liverpool's third and final strike of the night.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Thiago Alcantara are currently out injured for the Reds, but the duo were in training ahead of the LASK match, although didn't take part in the first-team session and instead worked out away from the main group.

Alexander-Arnold was forced off in Liverpool's win over Aston Villa on September 3 with a hamstring problem that saw him withdraw from the England squad.

Klopp said of the right-back's recovery: "He is not available [for Wolves], we knew that before. He didn't train with the team once yet and will take a little bit. It is not the worst hamstring injury you can have but it's a hamstring injury and they barely heal in two weeks - and this one didn't, either. As he is running already, we hope he can start ball work early next week and then we will see and go from there."

Thiago, meanwhile, has been out of action with a hip injury he suffered at the end of last season, which required surgery. Klopp said of the Spaniard: "Thiago is running, but that's it."

Jake Polden