Former Red Points Finger at Dutch Midfielder
Liverpool's dismal Premier League form has taken another turn for the worse, with former defender Steve Nicol singling out midfielder Ryan Gravenberch for heavy criticism. The Reds suffered a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, a result that piles more pressure on manager Arne Slot and his struggling squad.
A Nightmare at Anfield
The loss to Sean Dyche's Forest side represents Liverpool's joint-heaviest Premier League defeat at Anfield. This shocking result comes just weeks after the team was beaten by an identical scoreline away at Manchester City. It marks a staggering sixth defeat in their last seven league matches, a run of form that has seen the club plummet to 11th in the standings.
While several players, including Ibrahima Konaté and Cody Gakpo, have faced scrutiny during this poor run, Nicol believes Gravenberch's underperformance has largely flown under the radar. "There's one guy who I think has escaped criticism so far; Gravenberch," the ESPN pundit stated. Nicol highlighted the stark contrast with last season, where the Dutchman was considered one of the team's standout performers behind Mohamed Salah and possibly Virgil van Dijk.
Defensive Duties Found Wanting
Nicol was particularly scathing about Gravenberch's defensive contributions in the crucial number six role. "His main job is to be that block, that guy in front of the back four that orders the other two around," he explained. "He's done none of that this year. He's another one who, as fantastic as he was last year, has completely disappeared again."
This criticism comes despite the fact that Gravenberch's statistical output has improved this campaign, with three goals and two assists compared to just four assists in the previous season. The core issue, according to Nicol, is a failure to provide the necessary defensive solidity and organisational leadership required for his position.
The pressure is now firmly on Arne Slot to orchestrate a swift turnaround. Liverpool face a critical sequence of fixtures, starting with a Champions League clash against PSV Eindhoven, followed by a Premier League trip to West Ham. With the title challenge seemingly over, the focus shifts to securing a top-four finish and making a meaningful run in Europe.
