What Ryan Gravenberch has done is absolutely out of this world

Liverpool fans could be forgiven for being despondent over last summer’s transfer window.

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After all, only Federico Chiesa was added to the first-team squad and his signing hasn’t exactly worked out brilliantly as yet.

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The Reds were crying out for a new midfielder with head coach Arne Slot desiring Martin Zubimendi at the base of his midfield. The Spain international was identified as the ideal recruit and Liverpool set about triggering his Real Sociedad release clause.

However the player declined the move to Anfield at the last minute, opting to remain in San Sebastian instead. So Slot went into the season with largely the same options available to him that Jurgen Klopp had during his final season in charge.

He would have to make do and so far things have worked out well. The biggest revelation has been Ryan Gravenberch, who for all his promise looked an awkward fit under Klopp.

A signing masterminded by the German in summer 2023, there was no doubting Gravenberch’s potential but he suffered a frustratingly inconsistent first season on Merseyside.

Gravenberch's enviable record

The £34.2m signing from Bayern Munich was utilised in a range of midfield positions but failed to make his mark decisively. It was even speculated last summer that he could be on his way out of the club with Galatasaray showing considerable interest.

And when the season began there were perhaps a few question marks among fans over his status as a starter in defensive midfield. But Slot had clearly spotted his aptitude for the position and Gravenberch has been nothing short of a revelation.

He has been among the Premier League and Champions League’s most consistent players this season, playing all 23 games in the top flight to date.

The 22-year-old has put to bed any talk that Liverpool need a new starting defensive midfielder and looks set to lead Slot’s team for years to come.

And according to Squawka data, he has accomplished a feat NO OTHER midfield player has managed in the Premier League this season.

“Ryan Gravenberch is the only midfielder to make 40+ tackles and 40+ interceptions in the Premier League this season. 45 tackles 40 interceptions,” a post on X reads. “While Mario Lemina (62.3%) is the only midfielder with a better duel win percentage than the Liverpool man (59.5%) this term (Min 150 contested).”

That goes to show what a terrific job Gravenberch has done this term and it is a ringing endorsement for Slot’s man-management skills.

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He will be hoping to crown the season with a Premier League title as well as a Champions League medal to his name. His next opportunity for a trophy will be the EFL Cup final against Newcastle next month.

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