Dirk Kuyt has heaped praise on young Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.
Gravenberch is one of a three-strong Dutch contingent currently on the Liverpool playing staff, along with Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo.
And speaking to The Athletic, their compatriot and former Red Kuyt has raved about them all individually. After hitting back at critics of Van Dijk, the 43-year-old also had some kind words for Gravenberch.
“Ryan is one of the most talented young Dutch players with a great career in front of him,” says Kuyt. “The transfer to Bayern didn’t work out, so he needs to build rhythm, but the more he plays, he will have the endurance needed because his engine is one of his qualities.”
Dirk was also effusive about Gakpo, claiming that the 24-year-old could become a 20-goal-a-season striker for Liverpool.
“Cody arrived at a difficult time in January and had to go straight into the team,” he explains. “When I came to the Premier League, I dropped seven or eight kilos in the first few months because the intensity is so high here compared to Holland.
“Players need time to adapt. Cody has shown some quality moments and I think he can become a 20-goals-a-season player for Liverpool.”
Kuyt backs Gravenberch to shine
It’s still early days for Gravenberch at Liverpool. But although he hasn’t necessarily exploded in the sense that someone like Dominik Szoboszlai has, the first signs have been very good.
Saturday represented his first Premier League start for the Reds, in the Merseyside Derby no less.
And it was arguably the most impressive outing we’ve seen so far from the 21-year-old.
As Kuyt says, it’s clear just what a talented player Gravenberch is. His ball control and footwork is exceptional. We saw glimpses of the former Ajax man’s passing range and defensive capabilities against Everton, and you have to say that he’s a real all-rounder.
Having had the career that he has so far, it’s also easy to forget just how young Ryan is.
He may have already taken in over 100 games for Ajax, played for Bayern Munich and have 11 Netherlands caps to his name, but he’s still a baby.
Liverpool may have to be patient with Gravenberch at times, but that patience will surely pay off. Exciting to see how he develops from here.
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