It was obvious to one of his old international colleagues that, even at the age of just 16, Liverpool’s £34 million soon-to-be Premier League champion had something special.
To think, it is only six years or so since Ryan Gravenberch was playing alongside Mohamed Ihattaren for the Netherlands’ Under-19 side.
Two uber-talented playmakers seemingly destined for the very top of the European game. It’s fair to say their careers have gone in very different directions since then.
Because while Ihattaren is looking to make up for lost time at RKC Waalwijk – the mercurial midfielder bouncing back after an ill-fated switch to Juventus from PSV Eindhoven – Gravenberch has become a driving force behind Arne Slot’s successful first season in the Anfield dugout.
Liverpool can actually be crowned Premier League champions on Sunday away at Leicester City. Provided, of course, that Arsenal suffer a shock defeat at Ipswich Town a few hours earlier.
Reds legend Sammy Lee summed it up neatly in midweek when he said Gravenberch is ‘flourishing’ under Arne Slot. A good player in the Jurgen Klopp days becoming a truly great one alongside a fellow Dutchman who has given him the freedom to make those elegant yet thundering runs from deep a more regular occurrence.
Ryan Gravenberch again labelled Real Madrid quality amid Liverpool success
Ihattaren, meanwhile, certainly buys into the theory that Ryan Gravenberch is ‘good enough for Real Madrid’.
Comments made by the former Ajax and Bayern Munich starlet’s agent last week may not have gone down particularly well at Anfield – even if Jose Fortes adds that Gravenberch leaving Merseyside is currently ‘impossible’ – but you can understand his point.
After a difficult debut year in English football, Gravenberch has now undoubtedly proven himself as a footballer who belongs amongst the world’s elite.
“He is a player for Real Madrid, bro,” Ihattaren tells Supergaande. “I’ve known him since the [days in youth football]. That man is not normal, really not normal.
“When you’re on a field with him, you start to understand. It sounds so silly sometimes, but what he does is so difficult.
“His vision too. He plays so maturely. What he’s doing now, he was already doing when he was 16. Back then, people were still looking at him like; ‘Prove it’. Now, he’s doing it in the Premier League, and everyone loves him.”
Mohamed Ihattaren thinks Gravenberch is now worth 200 million euros
Talking of ‘proof’, Gravenberch could hardly have issued a more thundering riposte to those questioning his ability to influence proceedings at the very highest level.
Gravenberch dominated Jude Bellingham as Liverpool beat Real Madrid comfortably back in November, after all.
Ihattaren, while questioning Bayern Munich’s decision to let him go after barely putting together a string of starts in the Bundesliga, feels that, if Liverpool were to slap a price-tag on his head now, Gravenberch’s suitors would struggle to get much change out of £170 million.
“Now, he has become champion with Liverpool. That’s football,” Ihattarren adds. “He plays in the starting line-up and is worth 200 million euros. That’s who he really is.”
While yet to open his Premier League account for 2024/25, it is telling that Gravenberch has been an ever-present in Slot’s XI. So far, 32 league matches, and 32 starts.
“[Arne Slot] has nurtured them. You see the evolution of the likes of Gravenberch, Gakpo… fantastic to see,” says Lee, a winner of four First Division titles with Liverpool in the 1980s.
“They may have been better players anyway, the second season in, but they are blossoming and flourishing now. A lot of credit to the recruitment department because, recruitment is huge.
“Gravenberch has been fantastic. Arne has given him that freedom. And when you see him glide past people, its great to see.”
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