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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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Shelling out \u00a334million for Gravenberch was an eye-opening move, considering the midfielder had been used sparingly during his solitary season at Bayern Munich.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou ‘targeting’ midfield duo ahead of January window<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/67\/590x\/secondary\/5044398.jpg?r=1698860469013\")
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