Liverpool took the field against Crystal Palace missing a key player: Ryan Gravenberch. Shortly before kickoff at the 2025 FA Community Shield, manager Arne Slot revealed the reason behind the Dutch’s absence.
“Ryan Gravenberch is out just because last night he became a dad,” said Slot, as quoted by journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Gravenberch made 37 starts for the Reds in the Premier League last season, playing an instrumental role in the road to the title. Therefore, fans will always be surprised whenever they don’t see him on the field.
Gravenberch’s trophy cabinet at Liverpool
Gravenberch, 23, has been with the Reds since 2023, when the club forked out €40 million to get him from Bayern Munich. In two years with Liverpool, the midfielder has already celebrated two titles.
Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool under pressure from Joao Palhinha of Fulham
In 2024, he was part of the team that secured the League Cup. The following season, Gravenberch lifted the Premier League trophy in a memorable campaign for the Merseyside squad.
This time, the Dutchman will be rooting for his teammates from afar in Liverpool’s first official game of the 2025-26 season against Crystal Palace while enjoying an unforgettable moment for him and his family.
Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Managing Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of multiple sports, including NFL and soccer, with a specialty in original content and real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Managing Editor since May 2025, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis with interviews and exclusive content.
