Liverpool search may be over after Arne Slot handed transfer boost from unlikely source

Liverpool search may be over after Arne Slot handed transfer boost from unlikely source

Our weekly Liverpool columnists look ahead to Saturday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth

Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool poses for a selfie (Image: 2024 UEFA )

It has been quite the start to the season for Ryan Gravenberch. After going under the radar during his debut campaign at the club, the Dutch midfielder has risen to prominence under Arne Slot and is already looking to be a key player for Liverpool.

His latest performance, a man-of-the-match display against AC Milan, has only added to the idea the Reds could already have their perfect No.6 already on their books, though it remains to be seen whether or not Gravenberch is the long-term answer to this problem position.

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Offering their views on whether the ex-Ajax man could be able to fulfil this role on a permanent basis, our weekly ECHO columnists have weighted up the pros and cons of such a scenario.

What Darwin Nunez did when Liverpool scored as Virgil van Dijk fumes with Milan man READ MORE:

Rhys Buchanan (Aigburth, @Rhys_Buchanan) - Gravenberch is certainly staking his claim

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After last weekend’s bitterly disappointing home defeat, the Reds simply had to bounce back with a big away performance in Milan on Tuesday night. I think, in a strange way, the circumstances of going behind early in the game and pulling through with three points will have reassured Liverpool fans with regard to our strength of character in this new era.

It was the overall calmness and the way the Reds stuck to the game plan that impressed me most. At the heart of that was a Man of the Match performance from Ryan Gravenberch, who has caught us all by surprise with his performances under Arne Slot. He’s sticking a flag in the ground when it comes to being a long-term solution for the much-discussed number six role.

Overall, it was a good night for all of the Dutch in our ranks going into the weekend, with Van Dijk scoring and Gakpo rekindling his pacey and dangerous form from the Euros this summer. Hopefully it’s the confidence builder we needed going back into Premier League action tomorrow.

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Andrew Cullen (Widnes, @brothersred5) - Gravenberch mustn't follow Szoboszlai trend

After an indifferent start to his Liverpool career, Ryan Gravenberch is making a difference this season. Liverpool’s failed pursuit of Martin Zubimendi, has led to, at least for now, a successful period for Gravenberch in the number 6 position. The early signs are encouraging.

Gravenberch can move and glide forward with ease and he can also track back and hassle and harry the opposition. There were some question marks as to whether he could get stuck in, but his stats for duals won and interceptions, hallmarks for any defensive midfielder, were particularly impressive against Manchester United and AC Milan.

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The Liverpool midfield has lacked real pace and guile for years now. The introduction of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai has improved the midfield picture, but the final piece of the jigsaw still appeared to be absent. Some queried why Liverpool were pursuing a diminutive midfielder in Martin Zubimendi, when perhaps what was needed was a midfield powerhouse. Liverpool may not have got what they wanted in the transfer market, but Gravenberch seems to be offering Liverpool the pace and power in the midfield fans have been craving for.

The challenge that confronts Gravenberch is whether he can consistently perform to high levels in that position. After a bright and vibrant start to last season, Dominik Szoboszlai’s form faded towards the end of the season. It is hoped that Gravenberch doesn’t follow a similar trajectory. Young players are bound to have bouts of inconsistency but, to compete for the major honours this year, consistency will be key. We saw first-hand against Nottingham Forest that, in the Premier League, dips in performance will be punished.

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James Noble (Worcestershire, @james_noble98) - Other options remain open to Gravenberch

Ryan Gravenberch’s performances have been among the biggest positives of 2024/25’s early weeks. Tuesday’s commanding yet cultured showing at the San Siro was arguably his best yet. Player of the match was well-earned.

The Dutchman has taken to the No.6 role superbly. His smooth reception of the ball in tight spaces, capacity to drive forward and ability to utilise his frame to intercept and tackle are traits that have proven invaluable. The sample size remains relatively small, but those wide-ranging attributes and how well he’s adapted to the task under Arne Slot are among the factors that make me believe he can be Liverpool’s long-term No.6.

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Whether he will need to be, is a different question. Those talents are also why the 22-year-old has been viewed as one of the game’s most promising No.8s in recent years. The adaptability of Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai has already been harnessed this term, through game-to-game tweaks to the midfield dynamics.

Particularly if a ‘specialist’ deep-lying midfielder arrived in the not-too-distant future, Gravenberch could remain a high-level No.6 option, while having additional scope to operate in a slightly more advanced role. Regardless, he continues to offer immense quality and flexibility.

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