Ryan Gravenberch, Ideal Defensive-Minded Midfield Addition to the Reds' Squad

Article written on 3rd March, 2023.

Ryan Gravenberch is another one of those quality young players coming out from the Ajax Academy and doing well. He was a young player there since 2010 and made his senior debut during the 2018/19 season. 

The Dutch international eventually made over 100 appearances for the Ajax senior side and became one of the best young midfielders in Europe before turning 20. But, things haven’t been all smooth sailing since he made a move to Bayern Munich last summer.

Gravenberch has played just over 600 minutes for the German champions in all competitions, making only three starts (out of 33 games played by the team). It is clear that Julian Nagelsmann currently prefers to go with the settled midfield duo of Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich ahead of anyone. That was one of the reasons why they let Marcel Sabitzer go on loan to Manchester United in January.

Now, both Goretzka and Kimmich are 28 years old and doing well in the double pivot role. So, in addition to the quality they produce, they aren’t getting older any time soon.

Hence, for Gravenberch, maybe it is time to look elsewhere for regular minutes. One team is in dire need of refreshment in the midfield department - Liverpool. The Dutchman was linked with us sporadically in the January window, while the Reds had scouted him ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Below, we take an in-depth look at the players’ numbers, attributes and playing style to figure out how he can be a good option for Liverpool if they decide to sign him in the near future.

Ryan Gravenberch - Introduction and Playing Style

Gravenberch is a versatile midfield player who likes to operate as a number eight on either side of a number six in a three-man midfield. He is adept at playing in a double pivot or as a lone six if required. At 190cm, he is one of the tallest midfield players in the top European leagues. In fact, if we look at the numbers, the 20-year-old is the joint-eighth tallest midfielder among those in the top-5 European leagues this season.