Nyoni steps up as Gravenberch sidelined for Liverpool's Fenerbahce clash

Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has been ruled out of the club's Champions League match against Fenerbahce in Istanbul on Wednesday due to a heel fracture sustained during warm-up before Sunday's Premier League defeat to Arsenal. The Netherlands international was left behind on Merseyside for treatment while the squad travelled to Turkey on Tuesday morning. Manager Andoni Iraola has declared uncertainty over Gravenberch's availability for Liverpool's following fixture against Crystal Palace on Sunday, describing the injury as a day-to-day assessment.

In Gravenberch's absence, Iraola has placed confidence in 19-year-old midfielder Trey Nyoni, who made his first Premier League start in the Arsenal match. Nyoni, a former Leicester City player, has featured in 11 of Liverpool's 14 matches this season across all competitions, accumulating 513 minutes of play—more than double his 237 minutes under previous manager Arne Slot last season. The teenager has stepped up following Liverpool's sale of Curtis Jones to Inter Milan.

Iraola emphasised that young players including Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha, and Lewis Koumas are handling increased responsibility this season. "We trust him, he's doing very well. We have to encourage him," Iraola said of Nyoni. The manager acknowledged the physical and mental demands of playing two matches per week, noting that endurance develops through accumulated game time rather than isolated appearances. Nyoni has indicated his preferred role is as a deep-lying midfielder (No. 6), though he remains willing to adapt to other positions.

Liverpool travels to Istanbul seeking a fourth successive Champions League victory, having defeated Atlético Madrid, Villarreal, and LASK earlier in the group stage. Iraola has selected a 22-man squad for the fixture.