Andoni Iraola has praised Ryan Gravenberch's versatility ahead of Liverpool's Premier League clash with Brighton on Sunday, listing five positions the midfielder can play and naming his preferred one.
Gravenberch's Versatility Praised
Speaking ahead of the match, Iraola said Gravenberch's willingness to play several roles is a big help as Liverpool navigate a nine-fixture sequence across a 29-day period amid injuries. The Netherlands international sat out last week's 2-1 win at Brentford through suspension but returned in a more advanced role on Tuesday night as the Reds beat Villarreal 4-3 in the Champions League.
Gravenberch, in line for a recall against Brighton, played the second half of that game in an unfamiliar full-back role with Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley sidelined. While Iraola prefers his midfielder in the No.8 position, he talked up his ability to perform across several roles.
Five Positions and a Preferred Role
"I think if you ask me what is the position he thinks suits him best, I think he is a No.8, for me," Iraola said. "But he is a player that can do a job as a No.6, we have seen it and he won the Premier League playing there."
"I think he can do a job playing as a right-back, like the other night. His versatility is probably going to cost him but I think as a No.10 I think he can do a job. We haven't tried it ourselves but he has also played last season at centre-back, in certain moments, he can do a job."
"So for me he is very valuable. This versatility in the players is very valuable because in this schedule we have, we are going to need help, somewhere. Because now it is in the right-back position where we have lost Frimpong and obviously we have the situation with Conor Bradley. But in three months, it could be in another position, so to have players like Ryan, someone who I am comfortable playing two or three defensive positions, for me is a big help."
Mac Allister's Consistency
On Alexis Mac Allister, who is expected to partner Gravenberch in midfield on Sunday against his former club, Iraola added: "I think he is another of the leaders we have. He has experience. He is not as old but he has been involved in top-level games, has won titles for club and country and he has been really good."
"He arrived [after the World Cup final] with Victor Munoz but Victor arrived a little bit earlier than him but after two or three weeks, he went into a great run of form and I think he is performing consistently well. Sometimes you play well, other times not so much but I think Alexis is in a place where he has consistently been playing well. and I hope he can stay there because that is going to ne easier for us, yes."
