Positives are hard to come by for Liverpool at the moment, but Arne Slot managed to identify one following the team\u2019s Carabao Cup elimination.<\/p>\n
A heavily rotated Reds side suffered a 3-0 defeat at Anfield to Crystal Palace, meaning the reigning Premier League champions have now lost six of their last seven games in all competitions and are out of contention for their first piece of silverware this season.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been a bruising few weeks for Liverpool, not helped by injuries to Alisson Becker, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong, Curtis Jones and long-term absentee Giovanni Leoni.<\/p>\n
Slot offers Gravenberch injury boost
\nDespite the disappointment, Slot did provide a rare piece of encouragement for supporters when he revealed after the game that Ryan Gravenberch could make his return in time for Saturday\u2019s clash against Aston Villa.<\/p>\n
When asked for an update on his injured players, the Liverpool boss told liverpoolfc.com:<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Ryan has a good chance. The other ones are going to be\u2026 let\u2019s wait and see tomorrow and Friday.
\nI don\u2019t know about all of them, but I think Ryan has the best chance from all of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
A timely boost for the Reds
\nGravenberch has missed Liverpool\u2019s last three fixtures after twisting his ankle in the defeat to Manchester United, and even if he\u2019d been fit, he likely wouldn\u2019t have featured in tonight\u2019s Carabao Cup tie given the lineup\u2019s rotation.<\/p>\n
Initially, the 23-year-old was expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks, so a return within two would be a massive lift for the Reds\u2014particularly if Curtis Jones fails to recover in time for the Villa match.<\/p>\n
Although Liverpool\u2019s poor run began before Gravenberch\u2019s injury, his absence has undoubtedly been felt, with the Dutchman having impressed throughout this season and built on his standout 2024\/25 campaign.<\/p>\n
A possible return this weekend would come at an ideal time for a Liverpool side desperate for positives, and Slot will be hoping more of his sidelined players can follow suit as they prepare to face Unai Emery\u2019s in-form Aston Villa.<\/p>\n
At this stage, the Reds will happily take any piece of good news they can get.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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