Ryan Gravenberch is a hugely talented player. How can Andoni Iraola eke out more from him?

For the first time in a long time, Ryan Gravenberch looked like the player who had been so influential in a Premier League title win two seasons ago.

For 60 minutes against Manchester City on Sunday, the 24-year-old was arguably the game’s best player before getting sent off for two yellow cards. It brought an early end to an afternoon that had been a positive one for Gravenberch, and one he desperately needed as he aimed to get his personal season up and running.

With Dominik Szoboszlai a late injury withdrawal, there was pressure on the Dutchman to step up after a difficult beginning to the campaign, during which he had lost his place in the starting XI to Alexis Mac Allister and then seen teenager Trey Nyoni preferred from the bench in the win against Bournemouth.

In the second minute of the City game, he received a pass from Virgil van Dijk while tightly marked by Enzo Fernandez in the centre circle. He effortlessly turned the Argentinian and drove to the edge of the penalty area before laying the ball off.

Such clever use of his body to get away from opponents remains Gravenberch’s signature move — and was a frequent sight during the 2024-25 title success — but its usage and effectiveness have dropped off dramatically. Against City at the weekend, it was back.

The confidence Gravenberch took from that initial passage of play was clear, and 10 minutes later he again looked like the midfielder who won the PFA Young Player of the Year award as he helped Liverpool to that 2024-25 title.

He initially regained possession from Antoine Semenyo midway inside his own half. He then moved out wide to receive a Ronald Araujo pass. His body movement allowed him to burst away from both Elliot Anderson and Nico O’Reilly, before slipping the ball between Fernandez’s legs and releasing it forward.

Now, before we continue, it must be stated that this was one game, and more consistency will be required before anybody declares the Gravenberch of old is back.

However, if this is a level of performance that the midfielder can continue to produce, it poses bigger questions around coach Andoni Iraola’s midfield make-up because this is a player he needs to get the best out of after signing a lucrative new contract in March.

It was notable that Gravenberch’s improved performance came while playing alongside somebody other than Szoboszlai in the midfield pivot. Mac Allister provides a more balanced combination because he is content to remain behind the ball and back up play.

Both Gravenberch and Szoboszlai are ball carriers keen to join attacks, but it was evident against City that the former was often the more advanced of Liverpool’s two central midfielders and was given the licence to go forward while Mac Allister sat deeper.

This released Gravenberch from certain defensive responsibilities and he used that freedom to consistently drive Liverpool up the pitch. The home side’s most threatening moments arrived via a progressive carry from the Netherlands international.

Due to the domestic suspension he now faces as a result of his red card on Sunday, the expectation is that Gravenberch will start the midweek Champions League group game against LASK in Linz, Austria. Alongside him, there is a possibility Iraola rotates and hands a start to Nyoni. Stylistically, the youngster is similar to Mac Allister, so it would afford Gravenberch another opportunity to show his qualities in that more advanced role.

Ryan Gravenberch was sent off for two yellow cards on SundayMichael Regan/Getty Images

If he can string together two strong performances, then Iraola may have his answer as to how to get the best out of Gravenberch. The conundrum he would then have to solve is that his best position is exactly where Szoboszlai has been used by the head coach since his summer arrival.

The Hungary international is viewed as an integral part of Iraola’s side because of his skill set both in and out of possession. His status was highlighted further when he was named as part of the vice-captaincy group, and he had started all but one of this season’s games — against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup — before the international break.

If Iraola wants both Gravenberch and Szoboszlai in his side, what does that mean for a rejuvenated Mac Allister? He has been one of Liverpool’s best players this season.

An ongoing debate since the summer 2025 arrival of Florian Wirtz has been the shift in Liverpool’s midfield. It was not the Germany international’s fault that he was brought in to play as a No 10, but it broke up a midfield three that had been crucial to winning the league the previous season. For a number of reasons, the balance has not been right since.

The noise surrounding the 23-year-old continues to get louder. With Liverpool missing Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo through injury for the visit of City, the expectation was that Wirtz would step up in their absence. Instead, the attacking midfielder produced another underwhelming display and remains a puzzle for Iraola to solve.

Which brings us back to a midfield three of Mac Allister, Gravenberch and Szoboszlai, which would see the latter push into the No 10 role.

Playing there, he would immediately add more aggression and physicality to the initial press. Moving him further forward would invite questions about his output from open play and his ability to unpick low blocks from a higher starting position. It would be a different role to what was asked of him two seasons ago, but the same questions can also be asked of Wirtz.

That would not write off the German’s Liverpool career, but every time he steps on the pitch at club level, the confidence he may be carrying seems to disappear. He was always going to be rotated during this season but taking him out of the spotlight for a bit might be best for everyone.

This all comes with the caveat that it is not known for sure whether Szoboszlai — whose injury is not expected to keep him out for long — will be available for the Brentford trip on Saturday, which is the match Gravenberch is banned for after his City sending-off.

That does give Wirtz a chance to change the narrative that is building around him. A strong performance in west London would make it difficult for Iraola to drop him.

On a positive note, Gravenberch’s performance on Sunday will hopefully be the starting point for an uptick in his form — which at least gives the head coach one less player to be concerned about and more selection options.