What Liverpool supporters sang about Ryan Gravenberch says a lot as Kop bring back iconic chant

-Credit: (Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
-Credit: (Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)


Caoimhin Kelleher pulled no punches when he was asked about his Liverpool future earlier this month. "I've made it clear in the last few years that I want to go and be a No. 1 and play week in, week out," Kelleher said while on international duty with Ireland.

"The club's made that decision to get another goalkeeper (Giorgi Mamardashvili), and from the outside looking in, it looks like they've made a decision to go in a different direction."

While Kelleher’s palpable frustration about being denied a late summer move to Nottingham Forest was understandable, it has not taken long for Liverpool’s decision not to sanction a departure to be vindicated, with a hamstring injury ruling Alisson Becker out of the Reds’ clash with Bournemouth.

READ MORE: Liverpool player ratings as Luis Diaz outstanding and three others excellent against Bournemouth

READ MORE: What happened to Darwin Nunez with 30 minutes remaining shows truth Liverpool know about striker

Kelleher’s inclusion against the Cherries reinforced the importance of having an accomplished reserve goalkeeper, particularly if your club harbours ambitions of winning major silverware. The Irishman was typically solid when called upon on Saturday afternoon, rushing out to smother a first-half shot from Antoine Semenyo before later saving from both Justin Kluivert, substitute Luis Sinisterra and, perhaps most impressively, Trent Alexander-Arnold.

While Liverpool will, of course, be hoping Alisson makes a speedy recovery, it is a relief knowing that their defence is in safe hands in his absence.

Gravenberch goes from strength to strength

The awarding of a song by the Anfield faithful is one of the greatest honours that can be bestowed on a player. With that in mind, the fact the Kop could be heard chanting Ryan Gravenberch’s name to the tune of 'This Girl' by Kungs vs Cookin' - the same song once used to revere fellow Dutchman Georginio Wijnaldum - suggests he is held in pretty high regard on Merseyside.

And rightly so. After a mixed debut campaign at Anfield, the midfielder has gone from strength to strength under Arne Slot, excelling in a deeper-lying role and starting all of Liverpool’s six games so far.

It was another fine display from him on Saturday afternoon, with his ability to both drive at the opposition and break up play once again catching the eye. He earned an appreciative cheer for one smart turn that set Liverpool on the attack and played a sublime ball out to Mohamed Salah on the right flank in the second half.

It is, of course, still early days for Gravenberch as a No.6 and there will be far tougher tests to come but the signs are very promising. If goes on to match the Liverpool career of his countryman Wijnaldum, he will have done very well indeed.

Chiesa makes his Anfield bow

Federico Chiesa’s Liverpool debut against AC Milan was more like a lap of honour, with the former Juventus man only afforded a few stoppage-time minutes to show his new club’s supporters what he could do at the San Siro.

He was named on the bench again on Saturday as he continues to get up to speed with Arne Slot’s demands however he was given more of a chance to make his mark, coming on in the 72nd minute in place of Darwin Nunez.

And it didn’t take long for Chiesa to show fans what he is all about, with the Italian taking on an audacious shot from 25-yards mere seconds after his introduction. His effort was comfortably saved by Kepa but it was an early snapshot of what supporters can expect from their new £10m man.

He later hit the post - albeit from an offside position - and almost teed up Mohamed Salah in the penalty area. While he didn’t manage to crown his Anfield bow with a goal or assist, Slot will be pleased that his new recruit has got some more minutes under his belt, with the visit of West Ham United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday potentially offering a chance to hand the Italian a full debut.