Steven Gerrard has opened up on a conversation he had with Ryan Gravenberch, and his verdict will resonate with plenty of supporters watching the Reds this season.
The former captain believes Arne Slot still needs a specialist holding midfielder, even after Gravenberch delivered some outstanding displays in a deeper role last term.
Gerrard’s concern is not really about the Dutchman’s quality, because he made clear he thinks the player can handle the position at the highest level. His issue is what happens to Slot’s team if the 22-year-old is unavailable and the manager has to rebuild the centre of the pitch without him.
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Steven Gerrard wants Ryan Gravenberch to be used further forward
The Liverpool legend says he has already told Gravenberch he sees him as something different. Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: “I remember speaking to [him], did an interview with Ryan and I said, ‘Mate, you’re an eight. You’re a box-to-box midfield player.’”
That is a fascinating admission from Gerrard because it suggests he views Gravenberch’s long-term future as a midfielder who can drive forward, join attacks and cover ground in both directions. Even so, he was also happy to acknowledge how well the player adapted, adding that the Dutchman “played the six as a world-class player last season.”
For the Englishman, the bigger issue is the lack of protection behind him and the lack of depth if the Merseyside outfit lose him for any stretch. He said: “I just like them to go out and go and get a real dominant defensive midfielder that can really help protect the back forward a little bit more.”
That view will make sense to many fans because the midfielder’s best moments often come when he is striding past opponents rather than sitting in front of the defence for 90 minutes. Liverpool have benefited from his composure and athleticism in the deeper role, but Gerrard’s comments suggest there is still a gap in the squad profile.
He also spelled out the risk of relying so heavily on one player to glue the midfield together across a full campaign. “The problem I’ve got if you get an injury to Gravenberch or he’s missing for a period of time,” Gerrard continued, “I don’t like the dynamics of how the middle would look.”
That is the warning Slot’s team cannot ignore as they plan for another long season on multiple fronts. The 23-year-old may be good enough to play as a six, but Gerrard clearly believes his best role is as an eight, and that leaves the Reds with a recruitment call to make.
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