17 December 2023 , 21:27
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Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool are straining under their "horrendous" schedule as the Reds lost Ryan Gravenberch to a hamstring injury in their goalless draw with Manchester United.
Dutch midfielder Gravenberch was arguably the Reds' best player in his hour on the pitch on Sunday afternoon, with his direct running from midfield threatening to cause the visitors problems only for the hosts to be let down by a lack of calmness in front of goal.
The former Ajax star had been a target for United in the summer, but he showed his former manager Erik ten Hag what he was missing in a strong display before he pulled up and had to be replaced by compatriot Cody Gakpo.
Discussing Gravenberch's injury after the match, Klopp said: “We will see. They told me directly after the game it got worse during the game, so that means it was not ‘bam’. He felt a little bit and didn’t show immediately. We hoped it would go by, [but] it didn’t. There was this really intense sprint with the ball which ended on the 18-yard line with a collision.
“I hope it is not that serious but we have in the next 10 days three more games, so I don’t know if he will be part of them or one of them. We will see, we have to make a scan.”
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Gravenberch was forced off injured in the second half (AP)Gravenberch's injury comes as Liverpool are missing Alexis Mac Allister to a blow sustained during the win at Sheffield United earlier this month, while Thiago Alcantara hasn't yet kicked a ball this season and Stefan Bajcetic had only been seen fleetingly in the Europa League and Carabao Cup.
Gravenberch is almost certain to miss Wednesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final against West Ham at Anfield, with the Reds then facing a crucial Premier League clash with Arsenal, who moved above them in the table on Sunday, next weekend.
"It’s a tough period. We play Wednesday against West Ham, they’re flying and playing really well at the moment, then we have Arsenal and Burnley. It’s horrendous," said Klopp after the match.
"We have to make sure we get enough points in this period but then there’s a lot of football to play after that too. It’s important we get through this with as many players as possible."