Gravenberch is a true Liverpool defensive midfielder

After a difficult first season, Ryan Gravenberch is gradually adapting and becoming a key factor in Liverpool’s midfield.

In the match against Liverpool in round 3 of the Premier League, two new players Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt of Man United were both given the opportunity to start by Erik ten Hag. Both were former students of Ten Hag and played for Bayern Munich before joining Old Trafford this summer.

However, it was Liverpool’s new player Ryan Gravenberch who left the most impression when The Kop defeated Man United 3-0. Perhaps, this is the former Ajax player that Ten Hag misses the most at the moment.

Gravenberch immediately left his mark on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s disallowed goal. But there was no need to regret too much because afterwards, the Dutch midfielder intercepted Casemiro’s pass to help Luis Diaz open the scoring. It was one of four successful interceptions by Gravenberch throughout the match.

It was also the most successful interceptions by a Liverpool midfielder in almost a year. Gravenberch has become a true defensive midfielder under new coach Arne Slot, although most of his defensive actions have taken place in the opposition half.

At Bayern Munich, Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel had doubts about Gravenberch’s defensive ability and often pushed him forward. As a result, Slot himself admitted he was surprised by the Dutchman’s performance against Man United.

“Gravenberch’s quality on the ball would be my first answer. Coming from Holland, we all know how good he is on the ball. He can be a really important player for our build-up.

But what impressed me the most when I started working with him was that he could run a lot and still be good when he got into a one-on-one. That’s what impressed me the most about him, he’s very good even without the ball,” Slot said after the win over Man United.

Gravenberch ran over 11km against Man United, the second time he has reached that mark for Liverpool. In fact, all three of Liverpool’s starting midfielders covered over 11km in the match at Old Trafford.

It’s fair to say that Gravenberch’s first season at Liverpool hasn’t exactly gone as expected. So it’s no surprise that there have been plenty of rumours that the Reds will sign another midfielder this summer. However, it seems that Gravenberch is the ready answer that Slot has found.