Arne Slot, Liverpool head coach, has made clear that midfielder Ryan Gravenberch missed the Community Shield match against Crystal Palace due to a major life event.
The Dutchman announced that the player became a father on Saturday, just hours before the clash at Wembley.
“Ryan Gravenberch became a dad last night,” Slot said in his pre-match interview ahead of the 3pm BST kick-off. The 22-year-old, who joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich last summer, has been a regular feature in the squad, but his absence on this occasion was for a joyous reason.
Liverpool lined up with four of their summer signings – Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Florian Wirtz – all starting the game. Slot acknowledged the challenge of facing a well-organised Crystal Palace side, who have proven themselves against top opposition.
“Ideally you want to play the best possible game you can play,” Slot explained. “But we also know how difficult it is to play that game against Palace because they are here for a reason: they beat [Aston] Villa in the [Emirates FA Cup] semi-final and [Manchester] City in the final.”
Slot also highlighted Palace’s ability to frustrate even the strongest teams, referencing results from last season. “At the end of the season, Arsenal and us were not able to win against them in our own stadiums. We know how good or how smart it is to keep the team together because that’s what we did last season and we know the end result.”
The Liverpool boss pointed out that continuity has been key for Palace’s success, noting that they have maintained a settled squad. “Palace has exactly the same team playing for them today that played for them throughout almost the whole of last season. So, a big challenge ahead of us.”
Gravenberch’s absence opened the door for other midfielders to feature, as Liverpool looked to integrate their new signings into the team’s rhythm. The game also served as a testing ground for Slot’s tactical approach, with the match offering a competitive preview of the upcoming season.
For Gravenberch, the birth of his child marks a significant moment in his personal life, and Slot’s comments reflect a supportive approach to player welfare. The Dutch coach has repeatedly emphasised the importance of balance between professional and personal commitments, ensuring his squad feels valued both on and off the pitch.
With Liverpool eyeing another strong campaign, integrating fresh talent while maintaining squad cohesion will be vital. The Community Shield provided a chance for Slot to assess his options, especially against an opponent as disciplined and resilient as Crystal Palace.
Palace, meanwhile, entered the match confident in their game plan and buoyed by last season’s successes in knockout competitions. Their ability to keep their core squad intact could prove decisive as they aim to replicate – or surpass – their previous achievements.
As for Gravenberch, his absence at Wembley is unlikely to impact his role in the season ahead. Once he returns, he will look to build on a promising first year at the club and contribute to Liverpool’s push for silverware.
