Why Ryan Gravenberch has reason to be concerned after Dominik Szoboszlai’s latest comments
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Andoni Iraola looks like he is finally getting the balance right in Liverpool’s midfield after recording two wins in a row.The Reds are steadily growing into the season after beating Ipswich Town and Atletico Madrid, with Alexis Mac Allister finally beginning to look like his old self again.Mac Allister’s renaissance has been bad news for Ryan Gravenberch, who has been named on the bench in each of Liverpool‘s last three matches. Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC/Jan Jruger Gravenberch was poor when coming on against Atletico on Wednesday, adding fuel to the feeling that he is no longer a guaranteed starter under Iraola.And after Dominik Szoboszlai spoke out to declare his love of playing with Mac Allister, the Dutchman looks set for an extended spell out of the team.Szoboszlai wants to be partnered with Mac AllisterOf all three of Liverpool’s big midfield signings from 2023, Szoboszlai is the one who is most secure of his place in the team.With Florian Wirtz now operating in a more advanced No.
10 role, it is Szoboszlai and one more in Iraola’s midfield.READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk suggests when Giovanni Leoni should finally be back in Liverpool trainingThough he has played with Gravenberch plenty of times, when asked about his combination with Mac Allister in the mixed zone after Wednesday’s game, Szoboszlai admitted that he and the Argentine have the kind of connection needed in a regular midfield partnership.“I said many times I love to play with Macca,” said the Hungarian. “I guess it’s the manager’s decision who will play in the next games, I think everybody’s ready to compete with each other, but we have to become a family.”Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty ImagesAsked whether he and Mac Allister can keep up their current form, Szoboszlai did admit that others, such as Gravenberch, will also be needed, but it is clear who the No.
The guys will play what the manager puts at the end of the day, it’s not our decision,” he said.“I like to play with Ryan, I like to play with Flo [Wirtz], I like to play with Wata [Endo], I like to play with Trey [Nyoni], I like to play with everyone and probably they like to play with each other, they like to play with me – hopefully! We are in all competitions, we want to be in all competitions until the end.”Although Gravenberch obviously will get his games throughout what is a long season, when Iraola picks his best XI, the 24-year-old does not look like he will currently be in it.As he says, Szoboszlai obviously does not pick the team, but with Iraola seemingly not convinced by Gravenberch, it now looks a long road back to a regular role for the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season in 2025.