Ryan Gravenberch is undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in the world at the moment.
Liverpool have managed to craft him into a world-class player, with their team being much worse without him in their starting XI.
However, this version of Gravenberch that Liverpool are now getting may not have even been possible if they hadn’t missed out on Martin Zubimendi last term.
The Dutchman has quickly become a fan favourite, and although he was an outcast at Bayern Munich, he’s become an essential cog in Arne Slot’s plans, with Danny Murphy lauding his ability to get forward as well as defend.
Danny Murphy is in awe of the way that Ryan Gravenberch can carry the ball
As mentioned, the way that Gravenberch performed over the course of last season was second to none.
He was essential to Liverpool’s Premier League success, and although he may have got tired towards the end of the season, he still managed to show up when the Anfield outfit needed him to.
And, while speaking to BBC Sport, Murphy gave his thoughts on the midfielder and shared the one trait he has that most other midfielders don’t.
“He missed the first game at home to Bournemouth and also the Community Shield against Crystal Palace. They looked quite wide open in the Bournemouth game because of his absence,” he said.
“When he came back in, you could see the difference. He has attributes very few midfielders have, which is brilliant spatial awareness, plus the ability to glide past people.
“There are not many central midfield players who can carry the ball through the lines. Most midfielders are passers through the lines.
“He is a terrific passer, but his great body movement allows him to let the ball run across him, then he has that great athleticism, which allows him to glide past people effortlessly.”
Danny Murphy thinks that Ryan Gravenberch is better than Moises Caicedo and Martin Zubimendi
There have been conversations about who’s the best defensive midfielder in the world for some time now.
For many years, it was Manchester City’s Rodri, but due to his season-long injury, he’s sort of been taken out of the conversation recently.
Then come players such as Zubimendi and Moises Caicedo, who, while they are solid players, are nowhere near the level of Gravenberch.
That is, especially when the age of the Dutchman is taken into account.
Murphy shares these thoughts as he also believes that Gravenberch is the best of the three.
“Last season he was the best in his position in that number six role,” he said.
“Rodri missed virtually the whole season with Manchester City. He had been the best in Europe for four or five years.
“Gravenberch was the best in the Premier League last season, and he has started this season in the same vein.
“Arsenal fans will talk about Martin Zubimendi. Chelsea fans will talk about Moises Caicedo. Gravenberch has got more tools – more capability of doing things further up the pitch – than those two.”
Of course, there’s still plenty that Gravenberch could learn, but, for now, the fact that he’s being dubbed the best number six in the world will likely be enough for him.
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