InterviewRyan Gravenberch on fitness, Villa challenge and a 'huge week' for Liverpool
Ryan Gravenberch is confident of being ready to return and play his part in Liverpool attacking a 'huge week' that begins against Aston Villa.
The Netherlands international has missed the Reds' past three matches due to the ankle injury he sustained at home to Manchester United a fortnight ago.
He completed training sessions on Thursday and Friday, though, and could make his comeback in the Premier League contest with Villa on Saturday.
Arne Slot's men will be seeking a positive result to arrest a run of four defeats in the top flight, ahead of facing Real Madrid and Manchester City before the November international window.
Liverpoolfc.com caught up with Gravenberch at the AXA Training Centre on Friday afternoon - read the Q&A below...
Firstly, Ryan, how are you in terms of your fitness? Arne seemed quite optimistic earlier. Are you hopeful you'll be able to feature on Saturday night?
Yes, yes. I feel really confident. Yesterday I had a session, today as well. If everything is good, I will be there tomorrow.
It's a tough time for everyone who cares about Liverpool, in terms of results. How important would it be for you to get back and play your part in trying to turn results around?
Really important. Everyone around here, also the fans and us, [we] need to go back to winning ways. It will be a really tough game tomorrow but we prepare well and hopefully we can get the win tomorrow.
It's something we didn't experience much last season and you haven't experienced all that much in your career. How do you turn this around? Is it going back to basics, doing the simple things right to begin with?
Yes, I think that's true. As a team we have to stick together. Everyone has to stick together, to be honest. Stick together, do the basic things right again and see from there.
What are the conversations like between players when you're having a difficult time like this? Honest but constructive?
Yes, just [being] honest to each other [about] what we can expect and what we can do better. It's all about that.
It's a week where you couldn't need any more motivation. Real Madrid and Manchester City to follow Villa...
It's a huge week but the most important thing is to go game by game. That is Villa tomorrow and we have to be ready for that.
What are you expecting from Villa? They're in great form with four wins in a row in the Premier League...
They're really good now. It will be a tough game. We know they are really good also on the counter-attack, so we have to prepare for that as well. But I think if we do the basic things right again, we have a good chance that we will get a result tomorrow.
One big performance, one big result can change the complexion of everything can't it, in terms of a springboard for games to come...
Yes, true. But what I said, I think we have to go from game by game. Hopefully we can get the win tomorrow and see from there.