Jurgen Klopp provides update on Ryan Gravenberch injury worry
Jurgen Klopp has played down fears that Ryan Gravenberch picked up an injury in Thursday's Europa League win over LASK.
The 21-year-old midfielder was given his first start as a Liverpool player for the Group E opener in Austria, and impressed with an assist as the Reds came from a goal down to win 3-1.
LASK's Florian Flecker rifled home from the edge of the 18-yard box to give the hosts a surprise lead early, but Klopp's side battled back after the break, with goals coming through Darwin Nuñez, Luis Diaz (assisted by Gravenberch) and Mohamed Salah, for an ultimately comfortable victory.
Gravenberch was, however, substituted with just over 15 minutes still to play of the second half, sparking fears he had picked up a knock.
READ MORE: 4 talking points from Liverpool's 3-1 win over LASK
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Klopp revealed that the midfielder was only withdrawn after suffering cramp due a lack of match fitness.
"He told me he had cramp," Klopp said. "That makes sense, it was the first start for a while I think. He did really well, for the long time he was the best player on the pitch but in the first-half frustration grew then you saw him getting lost as well. It's normal, these things happen but stayed in the game as long as he could, really good moments.
"He set up a good goal for Lucho, for not knowing a lot about his teammates, it looked pretty tuned."
Speaking to the club's own channels, Klopp called Gravenberch's performance on his first start 'exceptional' but admitted the midfielder tired in the second half.
Klopp told LFCTV: "Ryan, played an exceptional game, on a difficult pitch, a great assist. In the first-half, he started so well and then got lost with the rest a little bit. In second-half when we had the counter-attack again and the last touch when he was pretty tired. If that goes to Lucho, I'm sure he can score from there so little things didn't work out but in general, as long as you're not in the best shape you always have to react again, again and again. We did it so that's good."