Ryan Gravenbirch is playing with a smile on his face and that could last a long time as part of Jurgen Klopp’s new generation.
Even Jurgen Klopp doesn’t pretend to be a guardian of career preservation. But there is no doubt that the Liverpool manager has a fortunate ability to develop many of the players under his charge.
From Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane to Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum and Andy Robertson, Klopp has turned great footballers into key components of world-class teams and, in some cases, helped them become world-class players.
Talent is evaluated based on individual characteristics.The early signs are positive for Reds manager Ryan Gravenbirch. “I love him as a kid and as a player, it’s great to see how much he’s starting to believe in himself,” Klopp said after the midfielder posted a man-of-the-match goal against Toulouse.
Thursday evening. “This is very important for all players, but especially young players. It’s really good. “It’s good news because everyone sees good signs and potential, but there’s more to come.”With his strong forward attack, willingness to take on his opponents, penchant for tower play and freedom to shoot from distance, Gravenbirch quickly established himself as a crowd favorite and in many ways an archetypal figure given the power and its obvious potential for development. It’s done. Klopp recruitment.
The Dutchman has the raw materials but there is plenty of room for him to become the player Liverpool need.But for now, Gravenberch is clearly enjoying being back on the field. And rightfully so.The game against Toulouse was his fifth start since his move from Bayern Munich on the last day of August, just one less than he made in his entire season with the Bundesliga champions.
In terms of minutes, he has logged 417 minutes for the Reds so far, almost half of the 937 he spent at Bayern.
Gravenburch has long been on Liverpool’s radar but was on their target list before moving from Ajax to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022. His recent arrival has disappointed fans who were hoping to sign a defensive midfielder. Gravenbirch is recognized as a good young player.
This is correct. But don’t the Reds have enough engine room options to replace him?Subsequent evidence suggests that such alternatives were lacking given the midfield problems that plagued Liverpool last season and ultimately contributed to their failure to qualify for the Champions League. Gravenbirch was one of many players who saw the Europa League as an opportunity.
Luis Diaz provided an excellent assist in Liverpool’s first start for LASK and scored his first goal against Union Saint-Gilloise in their next group stage match.
Meanwhile, he also assisted in a League Cup win at home to Leicester City. He attracted little attention when he made his Premier League debut in the third left-centre position against Everton last weekend.
Gravenburch, 21, is one of Liverpool’s new young midfielders, alongside Alexis McAllister (24), Dominic Szoboslay (23), Curtis Jones (22), Harvey Elliott (20) and Stefan Baketic (19). It’s a name. What was recently seen as a team weakness is now seen as an exciting new force whose potential is just beginning to emerge.
Gravenberch’s departure from the Netherlands under-21 squad to join Liverpool last September infuriated national manager Ronald Koeman and could have seen him suspended from the national team, but there are signs the pain will ease in the long run short. Long term success for both club and country. But that’s for the future. Liverpool are currently benefiting from the fact that Gravenbirch is smiling again.
