Ryan Gravenberch has mixed emotions when looking back at his first, and so far only, appearance against Chelsea as a Liverpool player.
The occasion itself was joyous for the team – the Reds celebrated a dramatic and hard-fought victory, lifting the 2024 Carabao Cup at Wembley.
However, for Gravenberch, the personal memories are bittersweet.
Though thrilled by the win, he found himself celebrating on crutches, uncertain about the challenges that lay ahead.
The Dutch midfielder’s Wembley debut was abruptly cut short after just 28 minutes, as he was stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious ankle injury.
“I don’t think it’s a good word to use but I was just disappointed that I couldn’t play further. It’s still in me,” he tells Liverpoolfc.com, gesturing to his heart.
“I was really looking forward to it and also it was my first time at Wembley.
“When I got the kick, I wanted to play further. I said, ‘Tape it, tape it and maybe I can play further.’ But they said no.”
Ryan Gravenberch experienced a solitary moment in the dressing room as the first half continued, accompanied only by two medical staff members assessing his injury.
Devastated and with his mind racing, he faced an uncertain situation.
However, around the hour mark, he set those emotions aside, hobbling to the dugout to show his support for his teammates.
The 21-year-old remembers: “I didn’t really hear anything about what was happening outside.
“When I went outside, it was really crazy with the fans and everything.
“When I look at the game from the sideline, I had a really good feeling that we will win that game – and we did.”
He continues: “I was just happy and with adrenaline when we got the trophy.
“It’s really important because when you get injured you just want to come back as quick as possible and to be there for the team.
“For me, it was like every day, day in and day out, working on myself and working on that ankle to be fit again.”
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