3 days ago
Ryan Gravenberch ban truth as Community Shield theory debunked after Liverpool red card
Ryan Gravenberch will not miss the Community Shield due to the red card he received on the final day of the Premier League season. Instead, the midfielder's suspension will carry over to the start of the new league campaign in August.
It means Gravenberch, who played 49 games this term, will be eligible for the annual curtain raiser when Liverpool takes on Crystal Palace in the Community Shield.
The date for that match has not been set but it will be played at Wembley on the weekend of August 9-10. The new Premier League season will start the following week, with the initial fixture list to be released on June 18.
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Gravenberch, therefore, won't be involved when Liverpool begins the defense of its title. The midfielder was shown a straight red card in the 68th minute of the Reds' final match of the season, also against Palace.
Having miscontrolled the ball as Liverpool's last man back, Gravenberch lunged to regain possession but instead felled Daichi Kamada with the Palace man set to have a clear run at goal.
Referee Darren England had little choice but to administer a straight red card despite teammate Virgil van Dijk's remonstrations.
It meant a disappointing end to what was a fantastic season for Gravenberch, who won the Premier League Young Player of the Year Award.
The 23-year-old started 37 of the 38 league games, the exception being the trip to Chelsea immediately after Liverpool was crowned champion.
He is also likely to be selected in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season.
Gravenberch's transformation into a holding midfielder proved to be integral to Liverpool's successful campaign, especially after missing out on Martin Zubimendi the previous summer.
The Dutchman's impressive displays, flanked alongside Alexis Mac Allister were instrumental in Liverpool amassing such a huge lead at the top of the table heading into the spring months.
'During a phone call in the first conversation I had with Arne, he said to me: 'I see you as a No.8 but I want to try you as a No.6'," Gravenberch told The Athletic in a recent interview.
"I played there against Manchester United in pre-season and after that game, he just put me there. I was like: 'OK, let's do it'. From that moment, I only played as a No.6.
"I didn't play a lot in that position before but this season, that position has made me who I am now. I am not naturally a defensive midfielder. I also like to drive forward with the ball. It's been good so far."
