A convincing win over Man City capped a stellar week for Liverpool, as they not only overcame the kings of Europe but also dethroned the reigning Premier League champions. More importantly, these performances put to rest any doubts about the ability and form of several players in the squad, particularly Ryan Gravenberch.
When the season kicked off, many questioned whether Gravenberch could hold his own in the big games. Despite an impressive start, the Dutch midfielder only shone against opponents considered to be weaker. However, in his last 10 games, the 22-year-old has proven his worth against top teams.
The match against Man City was the clearest demonstration of Gravenberch's role as a defensive midfielder. The young star born in 2002 locked down Phil Foden, prevented many dangerous passes towards Erling Haaland and was ready to dive in necessary situations. This was a performance that perfectly combined courage and sophistication, far beyond his age.
A year ago, Liverpool were known to have four "untouchable" players, including Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Alisson and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Now, Gravenberch may have added his name to that list. The Dutch midfielder is one of three players (along with Van Dijk and Salah) to start every Premier League and Champions League game this season.
The former Ajax man's impressive form has made it difficult to understand why he hasn't played a single minute at EURO 2024. Liverpool had initially targeted Martin Zubimendi to bolster their midfield, but Gravenberch's brilliance has completely changed those plans. New boss Arne Slot now rotates with other midfielders such as Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones, but always keeps Ryan Gravenberch on the pitch.
Gravenberch has truly become a "sweeper" in Liverpool's midfield. With 24 interceptions, he ranks second among Premier League midfielders. The 22-year-old's tackle winning rate is also impressive at 64.7%. However, not only stopping at defensive ability, Gravenberch is also the heart of The Kop's playing style, connecting every position on the field.
He often receives the ball from the centre-backs and quickly moves forward. Gravenberch's explosive dribbles from the back were the highlight of the match against Man City, causing the opponent to be confused many times. His ability to control the rhythm of the match and make the right decisions has made the star born in 2002 an indispensable player in the Liverpool squad.
One of Gravenberch’s standout qualities this season has been his ability to dribble past opponents. The Dutch midfielder has a signature turn-taking technique that has been key to Liverpool’s rapid transition from defence to attack.
Notably, Ryan Gravenberch has completed 695 passes, second only to Mateo Kovacic (723) among Premier League midfielders. Furthermore, he has contributed 2.8 situations leading to a shot per game, a figure that shows the 22-year-old's great influence in attack.
Gravenberch’s powerful runs from the back are not only beautiful but also highly effective. Against Man City, the former Ajax player has made many breakthrough dribbles this season. This shows the diversity in the Dutch midfielder’s playing style and explains why he has become Arne Slot’s first choice in every match.
From an underrated area in pre-season, Liverpool's midfield has now become the core of Arne Slot's play, with Ryan Gravenberch's brilliant form in particular sure to be a mainstay for the Reds for the remainder of the campaign.
