Liverpool’s season so far has been filled to the brim with positive news.
After a draining end to last term and an emotional exit for Jurgen Klopp, Reds supporters were ready to turn the page.
There was a little apprehension over how Arne Slot would handle filling the boots of Klopp, but so far the Dutchman has done it with aplomb.
Slot has instilled a new system for Liverpool and for the moment it looks like a sure fire hit with the first-team squad.
One of the players to benefit the most has been Ryan Gravenberch, who has been one of the Reds’ most eye-catching players in the early part of the campaign.
Ryan Gravenberch is outperforming Declan Rice
The spotlight had always been likely to land on Gravenberch right from day one this season.
After Liverpool very publicly failed to sign Martin Zubimendi, it was clear that the 22-year-old was going to have to step up.
Had Gravenberch wilted under that intensity, then there would have been nowhere to hide. Happily, though, the Dutchman has looked like a man on a mission.
Gravenberch was sensational against Manchester United on Sunday to cap off what has been a stunning start to the year.
And it isn’t just the eye test which the former Ajax prospect is passing with flying colours. As it turns out, the statistics are now backing Gravenberch up as well.
READ MORE: Ryan Gravenberch shares how he’s really feeling under Arne Slot at Liverpool
Football analyst site Squawka have ran the numbers to see how Liverpool’s No.38 stacks up against Arsenal’s £105m defensive midfielder Declan Rice.
Rice is one of the top players in his position in world football and was nominated for the Ballon d’Or on Wednesday. But according to Squawka, Gravenberch is putting him in the shade.
In nine different metrics relevant to a more defensive minded midfielder, Gravenberch comes out on top in seven when matched with Rice.
The Liverpool man wins out on forward passes, tackles made, aerial duel success percentage, duels won, ground duel success percentage, interceptions and ball recoveries. Rice takes only long passes completed and long pass accuracy percentage.
Positive signs for Ryan Gravenberch
Although this does not necessarily mean anything in the grand scheme of things, it does go to show just how well Gravenberch is doing.
Liverpool’s midfield has been described as a ‘masterpiece‘ by former France defender Frank Leboeuf this season and Gravenberch has been central to that.
Reds fans were disappointed when Liverpool did not sign Rice in 2023 despite being heavily linked with the England international.
But if Gravenberch can continue on this trajectory, then they may end up with a player just as good if not better than the 25-year-old for more or less a third of the price.
It’s early days still in that respect, but these are incredibly positive signs.
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