‘Outstanding’ & ‘a revelation’ – Gravenberch’s Liverpool transformation

In only a few months, Ryan Gravenberch has transformed his Liverpool career.

From a squad player last season under Jurgen Klopp, he now looks a complete midfielder with Arne Slot in charge.

The 22-year-old Netherlands international again impressed on Wednesday with another all-action performance as the Reds battled to a 2-0 win over Bologna, thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah.

Gravenberch was superb once more, with his performance including a match-high 18 passes in the final third, a passing accuracy of 91.1%, three successful dribbles and four duels won, while he also gained possession nine times.

“I was delighted with him,” said boss Slot, who has now won eight of his first nine matches in charge – the first Liverpool manager to do so.

“Ryan was again outstanding. I don’t say that to players at half-time because there is still 45 minutes to go but I said after the game ‘again, big performance’.”

‘First class all season’

Although Gravenberch operated largely as one of two defensive midfielders, he was still a threat going forward. In the opening 90 seconds he found himself on the right wing, with neither Darwin Nunez nor Luis Diaz able to convert a dangerous cross, and later created further chances for Nunez and Salah.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger told BBC Match of the Day: “The number six role in midfield is not easy but when you watch Ryan Gravenberch he makes it look easy.

“He is enjoying the season so far under Arne Slot. Players are looking for him in possession, he keeps looking for the space and pushing on when he can. He doesn’t just go back into his position, he goes on the overlap at times.

“That shows the confidence he has on the pitch at the moment. I admire the drive he has, the dynamism he brings to the game.”

Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch added on TNT Sports: “They tried Curtis Jones and Gravenberch was kind of untested in that number six role, but what a revelation he’s been.

“He’s been first class all season, he’s made the shirt his own. What I like about him, we talk about breaking the lines all the time and most of the time you break the lines with a key pass, with a forward pass.

“He can do it like that but also by running he can beat two or three people in the midfield, he’s attacking the defence through to the centre-half and that creates space for wide men like Diaz and Salah, for him to be able to slip in.

“Also a number six has to do the dirty work like that, get yourself in and make tackles.”