Liverpool appear unlikely to bring in a new defensive midfielder before Friday’s transfer deadline.
The Reds had pushed hard to bring in Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad after Arne Slot highlighted the need to strengthen that area of of the pitch.
But after the Euro 2024 winner said no to Liverpool, it became clear that Slot had no alternative to Zubimendi as a solution in the No.6 role. Not in the transfer market, anyway.
Instead, the new head coach has simply been tasked with using what he has. Ryan Gravenberch was deployed in the position against Ipswich last Saturday and looks like the man with the shirt for the time being.
Gravenberch did well against Ipswich but it’s clear that the 22-year-old was not signed as a defensive midfielder. Now, the man who brought him to Merseyside, Jurgen Klopp, has given his thoughts on Gravenberch’s change in role.
Jurgen Klopp issues Ryan Gravenberch verdict
At times during his debut season at Anfield, it was difficult to deduce exactly what the plan was for Gravenberch at Liverpool.
Although the Dutchman is obviously a very talented footballer, he never seemed to fit in with what Klopp wanted from his midfielders.
As a result, some had no doubt already written Gravenberch off. There were even suggestions earlier in the summer that Gravenberch was going to be sold by Liverpool.
Thankfully, that isn’t going to happen. The former Bayern Munich man instead now has a big chance to cement his position in Slot’s starting XI.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool have a ‘ridiculous’ player who he loves watching highlights of
This is unlikely to come as a surprise to Klopp, who wouldn’t have signed Gravenberch unless he didn’t think there was a player in there.
Nevertheless, it was interesting to hear the former Liverpool manager speak to ESPN about the Reds’ No.38 having watched him against Ipswich.
“Ryan now plays a new role,” smiles Klopp. “New coach, new opportunity, these kinds of things.
“I like him a lot, Ryan, as a player. He had mini injuries and stuff like that but he played top games for us. Now he plays a different position, really nice to see.”
Can Ryan Gravenberch be the answer for Liverpool?
After a bit of a muddled first year at Liverpool, we look primed to see a much better version of Gravenberch this season.
It should be remembered that the Netherlands international only turned 22 in May. He is still a really young player.
Furthermore, until this campaign, Gravenberch played for three different clubs in three continuous seasons. That is never going to be conducive to being able to settle easily. Things were always going to take time.
Throw in all the hoopla over Klopp’s last season and the strangeness that that brought last term, and it is amazing that Gravenberch came through it at all.
Now settled in Liverpool and with a clear plan of how things will look at Anfield now and in the future, Gravenberch can begin to develop as it has always been expected that he would. We think he’s about to become a key man for the Reds and we can’t wait to see it.
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