Liverpool’s chaotic hunt for a new midfielder saw Jurgen Klopp rejected three times before the start of the season. Turning to Ryan Gravenberch on deadline day was viewed as a desperate move by many, but the numbers show that the Dutchman may have been the right man all along.
The Reds were forced to strengthen in the middle of the park after a wave of summer departures. Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai were snapped up early in the window, but Klopp needed one more recruit leading up to the deadline.
Setback after setback came Liverpool’s way as Jude Bellingham, Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo all slipped through the net. The former signed for Real Madrid, while the latter duo each snubbed a move to Merseyside in favour of a long-term contract at Chelsea.
Shelling out £34million for Gravenberch was an eye-opening move, considering the midfielder had been used sparingly during his solitary season at Bayern Munich.
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But as the 21-year-old finds his feet at Anfield, it is becoming clear that Klopp has bagged himself a bargain. In terms of take-ons, progressive passes and non-penalty expected goals per 90 minutes of action, Gravenberch is up there with the very best midfielders in Europe this term.
Even Bellingham, who has made a rip-roaring start to life in Spain, cannot compete with Gravenberch’s numbers in terms of shot-creating actions, tackles and interceptions.
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Standing at a towering 6ft 3in, Liverpool fans are unanimously excited about how good the youngster could be if he continues progressing under Klopp. Gravenberch has enjoyed a first-rate football education, spending more than a decade on Ajax’s books before his brief stint at Bayern.
The Netherlands international was particularly devastating in the Reds’ 5-1 demolition of Toulouse in the Europa League last week, during which he scored Liverpool’s fourth goal.
Speaking after another Gravenberch goal in Europe last month, Klopp said: “Raw power, technically he’s incredibly good, his first touch is insane, the speed is top-class, really good shooter. He is a really good player. Yes, he came late and he needs time to adapt, but that’s what we can give him.
“He is completely happy, he is in the group and he can see what the other boys are doing. Everything is going in the right direction. It’s really nice to see and now he has his first goal – long may it continue, he’s very important for us.”
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