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Gravenberch is adapting to a leading role at Liverpool

Gravenberch is adapting to a leading role at Liverpool

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Ryan Gravenberch has been a driving force for Liverpool this season in a way that evokes the memory of a former club captain.

By Graham Ruthven

The difference in Sunday’s Merseyside Derby scoreline was only a single goal. On the pitch, though, it was Ryan Gravenberch. Not only did the Dutchman open the scoring for Liverpool, he was a commanding presence throughout, lending a hand to all areas of the 2-1 win over Everton.

This was completely in line with the impressive start to the season made by Gravenberch. Even as Liverpool have struggled to find their best form, relying on a series of late winners to win games, the 23-year-old has been a standout performer. He might currently be the best player in the Premier League.

Gravenberch certainly has the makings of Liverpool’s best central midfielder since Steven Gerrard. The Dutchman drove the Anfield side forward from deep in the way Gerrard did for the best part of two decades, even finding the back of the net as the former Liverpool captain did 186 times over the course of his career in red.

Gerrard was Liverpool’s do-everything man for the big occasion and Gravenberch has earned himself a similar reputation over the last two seasons. No player embodies the still fledgling Slot era on Merseyside better than Gravenberch who has thrived under the former Feyenoord boss.

In an alternate universe, Gravenberch lost his place in Slot’s midfield to Martin Zubimendi last year. The Spanish international was close to joining Liverpool before performing a U-turn to remain at Real Sociedad for another season, leaving Slot without the natural number six many believed he required to make his possession-orientated approach work.

When the move for Zubimendi collapsed, Slot remoulded Gravenberch. Having been signed by Jürgen Klopp to perform an attack-minded role, the Dutch coach saw his compatriot for what he could offer Liverpool on both sides of the ball. Few could have envisaged the player Gravenberch would become.

Gravenberch leads the average ratings for Liverpool

Of the Liverpool players to have played more than 200 minutes in the Premier League this season, nobody has averaged more tackles per 90 minutes (2.0) than Gravenberch. No midfielder has averaged more accurate passes per 90 minutes (55.8) than the Dutchman who has also contributed three goals and assists in just four games.

No other midfielder in the Premier League has the skill set of Gravenberch who can carry the ball, pass it and shoot it. The 23-year-old likes to get in between the lines and surge forward into the opposition box, like he did for his goal against Everton, but also provides the back four with protection. 

Liverpool’s midfield unit has been the subject of much discussion over the years, even going back to the Klopp days when many believed the likes of Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner were weak links relative to the strength of the rest of the lineup, particularly the forward line.

Now, Liverpool boast the most adaptable, adjustable Swiss Army knife of a midfield in the Premier League. It’s not just Gravenberch who can do everything, it’s Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai who all rotate and share responsibilities. The three players are all on the same wavelength.

The same can’t be said of every area of Liverpool’s team this season. Indeed, the Reds have been vulnerable in matches against Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Atlético Madrid with opponents having more joy against the Liverpool backline than might have been expected.

In Gravenberch, though, the defending Premier League champions have someone who can lead them to their next cycle as a team. “I think this is the evolution of a team,” said Slot, addressing Gravenberch’s changing role. “You constantly try to do different things. You try to keep what’s really good but other teams try to adjust to us as well, so we need to constantly evolve.

“And apart from that, we have different players now than we had last season, so sometimes you adjust a little bit also by the quality of the players you have now compared to the ones we had last season. I wouldn’t say [he has] freedom but he has the moments that he can help the attack – but that has a lot to do with the way the other team presses. He has a bit more freedom.”

Liverpool’s next cycle is still a work-in-progress. Florian Wirtz has yet to find his best form after joining from Bayer Leverkusen while Alexander Isak is still being introduced slowly fresh from a Premier League-record switch from Newcastle. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez are also still acclimatising to their new surroundings.

Gravenberch’s role could change again as Liverpool evolve over the coming seasons, but for the time being he is setting the tone for another Premier League title challenge from midfield. There will be many more moments, and performances, like the one the Dutchman produced against Everton.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Gravenberch is adapting to a leading role at Liverpool

Ryan Gravenberch has been a driving force for Liverpool this season in a way that evokes the memory of a former club captain.

By Graham Ruthven

The difference in Sunday’s Merseyside Derby scoreline was only a single goal. On the pitch, though, it was Ryan Gravenberch. Not only did the Dutchman open the scoring for Liverpool, he was a commanding presence throughout, lending a hand to all areas of the 2-1 win over Everton.

This was completely in line with the impressive start to the season made by Gravenberch. Even as Liverpool have struggled to find their best form, relying on a series of late winners to win games, the 23-year-old has been a standout performer. He might currently be the best player in the Premier League.

Gravenberch certainly has the makings of Liverpool’s best central midfielder since Steven Gerrard. The Dutchman drove the Anfield side forward from deep in the way Gerrard did for the best part of two decades, even finding the back of the net as the former Liverpool captain did 186 times over the course of his career in red.

Gerrard was Liverpool’s do-everything man for the big occasion and Gravenberch has earned himself a similar reputation over the last two seasons. No player embodies the still fledgling Slot era on Merseyside better than Gravenberch who has thrived under the former Feyenoord boss.

In an alternate universe, Gravenberch lost his place in Slot’s midfield to Martin Zubimendi last year. The Spanish international was close to joining Liverpool before performing a U-turn to remain at Real Sociedad for another season, leaving Slot without the natural number six many believed he required to make his possession-orientated approach work.

When the move for Zubimendi collapsed, Slot remoulded Gravenberch. Having been signed by Jürgen Klopp to perform an attack-minded role, the Dutch coach saw his compatriot for what he could offer Liverpool on both sides of the ball. Few could have envisaged the player Gravenberch would become.

Gravenberch leads the average ratings for Liverpool

Of the Liverpool players to have played more than 200 minutes in the Premier League this season, nobody has averaged more tackles per 90 minutes (2.0) than Gravenberch. No midfielder has averaged more accurate passes per 90 minutes (55.8) than the Dutchman who has also contributed three goals and assists in just four games.

No other midfielder in the Premier League has the skill set of Gravenberch who can carry the ball, pass it and shoot it. The 23-year-old likes to get in between the lines and surge forward into the opposition box, like he did for his goal against Everton, but also provides the back four with protection. 

Liverpool’s midfield unit has been the subject of much discussion over the years, even going back to the Klopp days when many believed the likes of Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner were weak links relative to the strength of the rest of the lineup, particularly the forward line.

Now, Liverpool boast the most adaptable, adjustable Swiss Army knife of a midfield in the Premier League. It’s not just Gravenberch who can do everything, it’s Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai who all rotate and share responsibilities. The three players are all on the same wavelength.

The same can’t be said of every area of Liverpool’s team this season. Indeed, the Reds have been vulnerable in matches against Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Atlético Madrid with opponents having more joy against the Liverpool backline than might have been expected.

In Gravenberch, though, the defending Premier League champions have someone who can lead them to their next cycle as a team. “I think this is the evolution of a team,” said Slot, addressing Gravenberch’s changing role. “You constantly try to do different things. You try to keep what’s really good but other teams try to adjust to us as well, so we need to constantly evolve.

“And apart from that, we have different players now than we had last season, so sometimes you adjust a little bit also by the quality of the players you have now compared to the ones we had last season. I wouldn’t say [he has] freedom but he has the moments that he can help the attack – but that has a lot to do with the way the other team presses. He has a bit more freedom.”

Liverpool’s next cycle is still a work-in-progress. Florian Wirtz has yet to find his best form after joining from Bayer Leverkusen while Alexander Isak is still being introduced slowly fresh from a Premier League-record switch from Newcastle. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez are also still acclimatising to their new surroundings.

Gravenberch’s role could change again as Liverpool evolve over the coming seasons, but for the time being he is setting the tone for another Premier League title challenge from midfield. There will be many more moments, and performances, like the one the Dutchman produced against Everton.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.