Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch may never recover from being benched. Manager Andoni Iraola's surprise decision saw 19-year-old Trey Nyon start against Arsenal at Anfield.
Gravenberch has had a difficult start to the season, beginning only four matches. He recently served a suspension for a dismissal in a match against Manchester City and played against Brighton, but was left out of the squad for the crucial game against Arsenal.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher assessed the manager's decision.
The only thing that stands out about the manager at the moment is that he doesn't fear making tough calls. He benched Gravenberch very early after the first away game of the season against Newcastle. He also left Milos Kerkenez out of the squad, a player he knew previously. He's rotated wingers in and out at different times. What I would say is that I think we all mentally return to that time when we were young players; to the first time you, a young kid, are picked over an established player. I think it's always tough for an experienced player to recover from that. It's not that he can't bounce back, but Iraola seems to trust the 19-year-old guy who is only getting better and whose career is on the rise. I think this will be a huge blow for Gravenberch.
Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, on the other hand, expressed support for Trey Nyon, who made his first Premier League start.
I love this. I love it, man. I think Trey has been very good this season so far. He looks so confident on the ball. He's not afraid to drop between the lines of defence. He plays passes between the lines. He's also intercepting passes at a high level. Gravenberch is not currently at his best. We know he is a top player who won the Young Player of the Year award just two seasons ago; a Premier League winner, as we know. I think the manager may have made the right call. Gravenberch is not at his best moment right now, but I believe he will be able to return to his best form – don't doubt it.
