RYAN GRAVENBERCH has been the subject of heavy criticism after his dismal showing in Liverpool’s 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Former Reds defender Steve Nicol has accused the Dutch midfielder of “completely disappearing” this season for Arne Slot‘s side.
On ESPN’s coverage of the match, Nicol said: “There’s one guy who has escaped criticism so far, Ryan Gravenberch.
“This is a guy who, no question, after Mohamed Salah and maybe Virgil van Dijk was Liverpool‘s best player last year, no question.
“His main job is to be that block, that guy in front of the back four who orders the other two around, lets them go forward when they can and he fills in behind and covers the holes.
“He’s done none of that this year. I know he’s missed a couple of games but he absolutely has done none of that.
“Craig [Burley] spoke earlier about how Salah has disappeared and Van Dijk, what’s going on here? Gravenberch is another one who, as fantastic as he was last year, has completely disappeared again.”
Liverpool’s latest setback puts them in 11th place, eight points adrift of Arsenal, who can extend the gap to 11 points with a win in the North London derby over Tottenham.
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Nicol believes Slot must revert to basics to arrest the Merseyside club’s slide into an abyss.
The four-time title winner said: “Amongst all the problems they have, there’s one place that they undoubtedly have to start and fix and that’s the back four.
“You cannot lose three goals at home and beat anybody. He has to get them on the training field and doing drills, boring drills.”
Speaking to Sky Sports after the final whistle, Slot took full responsibility for the defeat.
The under-fire manager said: “We are in a very bad spell. It’s that simple.
“It’s my job to get the best out of them. I am not at the moment. That’s why I say it’s my responsibility.”
Slot’s men have a chance to reverse their fortunes with a Champions League tie against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night.
Four days later, they return to league action with a trip to London to face West Ham.
