Liverpool’s midfield rebuild doesn’t look over just yet despite already bringing in three more new players to the squad. The next step seems to be leading the club in the direction of Ryan Gravenberch, who could be an ideal fit for Jürgen Klopp, despite raising some questions marks last season at Bayern Munich.
The ECHO has reported that Liverpool admires Gravenberch and his talent. The club has had the Dutch international on its radar for some time and even wanted to sign him last summer before he opted to join Bayern instead.
That’s a move Gravenberch may regret in hindsight given his lack of minutes with the German giants, but given the fact that he is only 21 years old, he still has plenty of time to rectify his career and get back on the right track. The Athletic says that if he becomes available this summer, Liverpool would be keen.
A move to Liverpool could be an excellent step in the direction of more minutes — especially considering just how highly the club rates him.
For fans, it is natural to have some doubts about his arrival. Unlike other options, Gravenberch is still raw and on the back of last season very much of unproven quantity. However, he isn’t necessarily out of form, and he has proven that this summer.
Part of the Netherlands’ U21 side which competed at the U21 European Championship, Gravenberch stood out with his performances despite his side crashing out of the competition.
As per Wyscout, Gravenberch ranked among the top five midfielders in the competition for defensive duel rate, winning 15 out of 21 defensive duels (71.43 per cent) in total. He also made six interceptions and 24 recoveries.
Those defensive stats highlight just why he will be a perfect addition at Anfield. Last season, Klopp’s side often struggled because there was not enough defensive stability in the middle of the park; Gravenberch has already shown this summer he can provide exactly that which the Reds have been missing.
Additionally, he was equally exciting to watch on the ball as well, making 10 progressive runs which ranked him in third place among midfielders. He also completed an impressive 62.26 passes per 90, which again ranked him among the top five best-performing midfielders in the metric.
On those performances, Gravenberch certainly doesn’t seem to have lost his touch. Form is only temporary after all while class remains permanent and given the way he can progress the ball, and how he reads the game he would tick a lot of boxes for Liverpool.
It’s a big call to bring him to Anfield, but if he can continue where he left off at the U21 European Championships, Liverpool might just make one of the smartest risks in a long time. The Gravenberch from that tournament would be a huge bonus for Liverpool and someone who can elevate Klopp’s midfield to a higher level.
