During the past summer, there were swirling reports about Liverpool’s interest in signing Ryan Gravenberch from Ajax. Other prominent clubs also had their eyes on him. However, in a surprising twist, the young Dutch talent ultimately chose Bayern Munich over Liverpool. This decision left Liverpool without a new midfielder until a last-minute loan deal for Arthur Melo, which, unfortunately, didn’t quite meet expectations.
The club faced justified criticism from fans for their transfer strategy, and they aimed to rectify this during the current summer transfer window. Liverpool’s focus shifted to bolstering their midfield, and in a fascinating twist of fate, they secured their fourth and final midfield addition on deadline day. Interestingly, this signing was none other than the player they had initially pursued at the beginning of the previous summer.
Gravenberch has now arrived at Liverpool after a somewhat frustrating year in Germany. Despite making 33 appearances across all competitions, he only managed to start six matches, accumulating less than 1,000 minutes of playing time. Notably, both Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel opted for the experience of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka in midfield, which limited Gravenberch’s opportunities.
While things didn’t go as planned for Gravenberch at Bayern, it’s important to remember that he’s just 21 years old, with plenty of room to develop his potential. Jürgen Klopp, known for nurturing and maximizing the talents of young players, may prove to be the ideal coach for his growth.
The question remains: Is Gravenberch the missing piece Liverpool needs? Well, that’s a matter of what role he’s going to play and how he adapts to Liverpool’s style of play. It’s a story that’s yet to unfold on the Anfield pitch.
Ryan Gravenberch’s Arrival: Liverpool’s Midfield Transformation
During our search for a possible successor to Fabinho earlier this summer, Gravenberch’s name emerged as a promising candidate. While he has experience playing as a number six, as we discussed before, his role at Ajax often involved operating in a double pivot system. He frequently partnered with the defensively-oriented Edson Álvarez (who has since moved to West Ham).
Taking a closer look at his final season in the Eredivisie, Gravenberch’s touch-zone map reveals an interesting pattern. It’s evident that he predominantly drifted towards the left side of the pitch, effectively assuming the role of a left-sided central midfielder. This tactical adaptation showcased his versatility and ability to contribute to different aspects of the game.
During that memorable campaign, Gravenberch left a significant mark by notching up 11 secondary assists, surpassing all other players in the Eredivisie. These secondary assists, often referred to as the “pre-assists” that set up a goal, indicate his potential suitability for a role as a number eight in Klopp’s system. Some may argue that Gravenberch is a player still in search of his true identity on the field, while others see this as a testament to his remarkable versatility.
However, when you delve into the positions he occupied during his brief 559 minutes of Bundesliga action last season, it becomes clearer why his form fluctuated. Gravenberch was tasked with playing in seven different roles within that short timeframe, leading to understandable challenges in finding his rhythm and settling into a specific role. This adaptability may prove to be an asset in the long run, but it certainly presented challenges during his time in the Bundesliga.
Analyzing Gravenberch’s positions during his time at Ajax reveals a more defined role. He primarily operated as either a central midfielder or a defensive midfielder, with a notable shift from the former to the latter between the 2020-21 season and the 2021-22 season. This transition indicates his ability to adapt to different midfield roles within the team’s tactical framework.
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Indeed, Gravenberch’s versatility and experience in various midfield roles leave the door wide open for Jürgen Klopp to determine how best to utilize his talents. Klopp’s track record of transforming Dutch international Georginio Wijnaldum from an attacking midfielder/winger into a disciplined and controlling number eight might have been an attractive prospect for Gravenberch as he contemplates the next pivotal phase of his development. Klopp’s ability to nurture and mold midfielders could be a significant factor in Gravenberch’s evolution at Liverpool.
Gravenberch’s Strengths and Where Does He Fit an Liverpool
Assessing Gravenberch’s strengths, it’s important to note that a detailed analysis of his time at Bayern may not provide a complete picture due to the inconsistencies of that season. However, some noteworthy statistics do stand out:
Gravenberch exhibited an impressive ability to win possession, averaging 9.2 recoveries per 90 minutes during his 24 Bundesliga appearances. This suggests his capability to disrupt the opponent’s play and regain control of the ball effectively.
Another notable aspect of his game is his willingness and ability to take on opponents. Gravenberch attempted an average of 3.4 dribbles per 90 minutes, a significantly higher figure than key Bayern midfielders like Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, or Marcel Sabitzer, who attempted fewer than 0.8 dribbles per 90. This highlights his confidence in one-on-one situations and his potential to drive the ball forward from midfield.
While his time at Bayern may have been inconsistent, these statistics suggest that Gravenberch possesses qualities that could make him a valuable asset in Liverpool’s midfield, particularly in terms of ball recovery and his ability to carry the ball forward through dribbling. However, his adaptation to Klopp’s system and the Premier League will ultimately determine his success at Liverpool.
It was the Gravenberch we witnessed at Ajax who captivated the attention of Liverpool and Bayern Munich. He burst onto the scene as Ajax’s youngest-ever player, courtesy of a debut handed to him by current Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag in a match against PSV Eindhoven back in September 2018. At a mere 16 years and 130 days old, Gravenberch eclipsed the record set by the legendary Clarence Seedorf, immediately making waves across Europe.
After a stint with the development side, Jong Ajax, Gravenberch gradually worked his way into the first team. In the 2019-20 season, he featured in nine Eredivisie matches. However, it was in the subsequent season that he truly established himself as a regular starter under Ten Hag. Gravenberch played 32 league games in the 2020-21 season, starting all but one of them, and managed to contribute three goals and five assists. What stood out even more were his impressive statistics, especially for an 18-year-old at the time. He averaged 75.3 passes per 90 minutes with a success rate of 87.2%, showcasing his proficiency in distributing the ball. Additionally, his tackle success rate was an impressive 65.9%.
The following season, he continued to make an impact with two more goals and five assists in the Eredivisie. Although some of his overall numbers were slightly lower, possibly due to being deployed in a deeper role, his performances in the Champions League caught everyone’s attention. Ajax, who had finished third in their group the previous year, won all six of their group stage matches in 2021-22. Gravenberch’s passing accuracy rose from 82.8% to 88.8%, and his tackle success rate significantly improved from 26.7% to 57.1%. This indicated his ability to excel at the highest level of competition, which likely played a role in Bayern’s interest.
When considering his attributes, Gravenberch appears to be well-suited for the role of a number eight in Klopp’s system. He possesses exceptional ball-carrying skills, evident from his remarkable stats. In the 2020-21 campaign, he led all Eredivisie midfielders with 391 progressive carries. Moreover, in the 2021-22 season, among Eredivisie players attempting at least 100 dribbles, only Luis Sinisterra had a better success rate than Gravenberch’s impressive 63.4%. These qualities make him an exciting prospect for Liverpool’s midfield.
Standing at around 6-foot-3, Gravenberch possesses the physical attributes that could see him molded into a number six, although it’s a significant challenge to expect him to transition into that role immediately. It’s likely that Wataru Endo will frequently occupy the number six position. What makes this intriguing is the potential use of Gravenberch in a deeper role, especially when Trent Alexander-Arnold ventures into midfield. Alexander-Arnold often formed what could be described as a double pivot with Fabinho last season, effectively sharing defensive responsibilities with the Brazilian.
Comparing Gravenberch to Rodri, who joined Manchester City at the age of 23 and was gradually integrated into Pep Guardiola’s system as the regular number six, there are aspects that should give Liverpool fans optimism regarding the Dutchman’s development. Despite playing only 559 minutes in the Bundesliga last season, Gravenberch showcased an ability to win possession, doing so 9.2 times per 90 – 1.0 more than Rodri in his first season at City in 2019-20. Additionally, Gravenberch recorded 8.2 defensive actions per 90 compared to Rodri’s 6.4 and created a similar number of chances (1.3 to 1.2).
It’s essential to note that this doesn’t imply Gravenberch will follow the exact path of becoming the next Rodri; it’s based on a relatively small sample size. However, there is undeniably substantial potential in his game. One area where he could improve is his performance in aerial duels, as he won just 0.6 per 90 last season, whereas Rodri managed 2.1 in the 2019-20 season. Developing his prowess in this aspect could further enhance his overall game.
One area of improvement for Gravenberch is his ball retention, as he lost possession 14.7 times per 90 last season and 15.1 times per 90 in his final Eredivisie year. By comparison, Fabinho, known for his ball control, lost possession just 8.3 times per 90 last season. In fairness, Gravenberch often operated in more congested areas and was tasked with playing ambitious passes, which could explain the disparity.
Initially, it’s likely that Gravenberch will slot into the left side of a midfield trio, sharing duties with players like Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones. The goal is for him to continue developing and eventually become a central figure in Liverpool’s revamped midfield. Liverpool now boasts a group of young midfield talents, including Mac Allister (24), Dominik Szoboszlai (22), Jones (22), Harvey Elliott (20), and Stefan Bajcetic (18), providing the team with the opportunity to grow together.
Gravenberch’s move to Liverpool stemmed from his dissatisfaction with his limited playing time in Germany. He arrives with the expectation of getting valuable minutes on the pitch, but there’s no need to rush his development. If he can fulfill the promise that had people comparing him to Jude Bellingham not too long ago, the sky truly is the limit for his potential at Liverpool.
