Liverpool Vulnerable Without Gravenberch: A Tough Test Facing Eze’s Debut at Anfield

The Liverpool vs Arsenal clash at Anfield this weekend is not just about the battle for the top of the Premier League table, but also a stage to test two major narratives. On one hand, Liverpool are trying to prove that their record signing, Florian Wirtz, can quickly make an impact. On the other, Arsenal are awaiting the glamorous debut of Eberechi Eze, touted as a potential game-changer after being signed from Crystal Palace for £68 million (The Guardian, 11/08).

Yet behind the spotlight on these two big names lies a figure considered the most crucial for Liverpool: Ryan Gravenberch.

This season, Liverpool still display the trademark aggressiveness of Arne Slot, with high pressing and quick attacks. However, the absence of Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister has made the Reds’ midfield far easier to penetrate.

Liverpool and the Transition Problem

According to the analysis of a former Anfield midfielder in FourFourTwo (08/25), Liverpool’s vulnerability is not due to Wirtz still finding his rhythm, but rather the absence of Gravenberch, who acts as the “balance keeper” linking defense and attack. Without him, Liverpool’s transitions look fragile, allowing opponents greater freedom to launch quick counterattacks.

Unlike Liverpool, who gambled heavily on a single superstar, Arsenal opted for a bulk spending strategy, with total outlay reaching £267.5 million. In addition to Eze, they signed Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, and Kepa Arrizabalaga (The Guardian, 23/08).

Mikel Arteta wanted to ensure his squad had enough depth to compete across all competitions. Eze is the symbol of this approach—he is not just a replacement for the injured Saka, but a source of added creativity and positional flexibility. His track record at Palace, including the decisive goal in the 2025 FA Cup Final against Manchester City (Wikipedia, 05/2025), is why Arsenal are confident about starting him at Anfield.

Eze’s Anfield Debut: Hope and Threat

The Anfield atmosphere is notorious for overwhelming opponents, especially debutants. Many big stars have faltered in their first match at this stadium. However, Eze has the qualities to flip the script. With smooth dribbling and sharp vision, he can exploit gaps on Liverpool’s right flank, particularly if Dominik Szoboszlai is again deployed as an emergency right-back (The Scottish Sun, 08/25).

The key will be composure. If Eze can escape Liverpool’s pressing, Arsenal could find lethal transitional spaces. His link-up play with Gyökeres and Madueke may place immense pressure on the home defense (Reuters, 23/08).

This match could become one of the decisive moments in the 2025/26 Premier League title race. While much of the public’s focus will be on Eze’s debut and Wirtz’s performance, the most decisive figure may in fact be Ryan Gravenberch.

As stated in FourFourTwo (08/25), it is not the new superstar who holds the key for Liverpool, but rather the underrated player who is missing. And without Gravenberch, Anfield may well become the stage for Eze to script his dazzling debut story.