Ryan Gravenberch did not travel with the Liverpool squad to Turkey for Wednesday's Champions League tie with Fenerbahce after picking up a heel injury, and head coach Andoni Iraola says his availability for Sunday's trip to Crystal Palace will be monitored daily.
The Netherlands midfielder sat out Sunday's 1-0 loss to Arsenal as an unused substitute after feeling the issue during the warm-up. Iraola confirmed he is unsure whether Gravenberch will be cleared to return before the international break, which begins after the visit to Selhurst Park.
Day-to-day assessment
"I don't know, it's a day to day thing," Iraola said. "It's a heel injury and it's about the pain. He's had some discomfort. The other day against Arsenal, he was warming up and he was not fully confident."
"He has improved since then, but it is going to be something where we are asking him every day how he is," Iraola added. "If he can be available for us, lovely, I think he will be a very good help for us but I cannot tell you right now."
Nyoni ready to step in
With Gravenberch sidelined, Trey Nyoni has the chance to continue deputising in his absence, and Iraola says he fully trusts the 19-year-old to keep developing.
"I think he has to continue in that same place he's been since the start of the pre-season, being ready for every game," Iraola said. "He has played in all the games or at least all the games lately, so we trust him, he's doing very well. I think we have to encourage him to continue, you know?"
"Continue improving, continue learning, continue adding experience. But he is in a very good place," Iraola added. "Is he ready for the schedule? I think that young players are already ready, you know? It's just that maybe one day you have to help us for 20 minutes or start and play 65, or maybe a full game."
"He is also adding endurance because sometimes when you are young, you feel OK, you are not going to get tired but you need to add this to your body," Iraola said. "It's a big step [playing] every three or four days and I think they are in the process, the young players Rio, Trey, Lewis, they are playing important games and minutes and I am happy with them."
