Clarence Seedorf has downplayed Ryan Gravenberch comparisons – but has high hopes for the Liverpool midfielder’s career.
The Reds summer signing broke the legendary Dutchman’s record at Ajax when he became the club’s youngest ever player, when he made his debut as a 16-year-old under now-Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
Gravenberch is looking to reignite his first-team credentials after a disappointing season with Bayern Munich. His time in Bavaria brought just three league starts as he made 34 appearances during his one-year stay in Munich.
He made his second Premier League appearance in a late cameo against West Ham United, after making his bow as a substitute against Wolverhampton Wanderers. In their Europa League curtain-raiser against LASK, Gravenberch was handed his full debut and impressed as the Reds came from behind to win in Austria.
Seedorf believes that the young Holland midfielder has a great career ahead of him. But he was quick to dismiss the pressure of comparing the Liverpool midfielder to the four-time Champions League winner.
“Everybody is unique, Ryan started early, he is one who broke my record at Ajax as the youngest player to make his debut that comes with great responsibility,” he said speaking to FUTBin.
“He’s on the way, I believe in him, I think he can make a great career. Just let him take his path, everyone has their own destiny.”
Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for Gravenberch after his full Liverpool debut before he was forced off against the Austrian Bundesliga side, which was later diagnosed as cramp.
“He did really well,” Klopp said. “For a long time, he was the best player on the pitch, for sure.
“But in the first half, the frustration [from Liverpool players grew] and you saw him getting lost a little bit as well. That’s normal, these things happen.”
