InterviewRyan Gravenberch: I'm feeling great and happy to be back with the team
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is eager to make his first competitive appearance of the new season.
That is set to come on Monday night when the Reds travel to Newcastle United in their first away game of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
Gravenberch missed last week's opener against AFC Bournemouth through suspension, having also sat out the FA Community Shield with Crystal Palace due to the birth of his child.
"I'm feeling good, I'm feeling great," the 23-year-old told Liverpoolfc.com at the AXA Training Centre. "Obviously I couldn't play the first Premier League game, so I'm happy to be back with the team.
"Newcastle are really good, we know it will be a really tough game for us. They are really physical, they are good in set-pieces, so we prepare really good for them and we want to show that we give our all against them on Monday."
A Liverpool team without Gravenberch in the defensive-midfield position he has made his own was a total rarity last season.
The Netherlands international was a starter in 37 out of 38 fixtures during the Reds' title-winning journey.
He was forced to witness the thrilling encounter with Bournemouth on the opening night from the sidelines, but enjoyed the ride of that 4-2 win and late finishes from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah.
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Watch on YouTube"It was a really nice game to watch, to be honest," Gravenberch said. "I think we played a really good game up front and then after when Chiesa scored the 3-2 you saw the crowd, the atmosphere was just amazing. Also from the side it was amazing to watch."
Arne Slot has admitted the need for his side to find the 'right balance' in attacking and not leaving themselves too exposed on the counter-attack.
The Liverpool head coach did, however, express his belief that Gravenberch's return can help with that desire for greater defensive solidity.
Gravenberch continued: "We analysed the game against Bournemouth, of course, and also against Crystal Palace. We knew what we had to do better. So obviously we train on it, we train on [being] in possession and everything.
"Also for the new players, they need time. Obviously they are starting now, so it's a bit difficult to have a lot of time. But I think they are doing really great.
"The Premier League, it's a different competition, also for them it's a different country. They adapt quite well and I think they will do really great for us."
Liverpool now prepare to take on an opponent that finished fifth in the league in 2024-25 and will be playing Champions League football in the campaign ahead.
Gravenberch vividly remembers last season's St. James' Park encounter between the clubs, which ended 3-3 when Fabian Schar scored a 90th-minute equaliser for the hosts.
"For me it was my first time that I played there last season," he recalled. "To be honest, it was a really tough game for myself, so I know what you can expect now.
"They are really physical and they gave everything. We know from the Carabao Cup final they are good in set-pieces. We need to prepare well and then we will show on Monday what we can [do]."