Ryan Gravenberch: The Liverpool Target Looking to Impress at the European Under-21 Championships
Ryan Gravenberch, the Dutch midfielder, is aiming to put himself in the shop window at the European Under-21 championships this summer. The Liverpool target has admitted he may be forced to leave Bayern Munich after just one season in the Bundesliga. Gravenberch was hailed as ‘one of the biggest talents in Europe’ by Bayern’s former sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic upon completing his £21million move from Ajax last summer. However, having made just six starts for the Bavarians, Gravenberch has revealed he has been disappointed with his lack of game time.
Gravenberch’s Move to Bayern Has Not Worked Out
“To be honest, yes I am,” Gravenberch told ESPN. “I expected to play more minutes than I did. I thought I would get some more chances. It’s about just wanting to play, that’s the most important thing at my age. I hope it’ll be at Bayern – otherwise, we’ll just have to look further.” Gravenberch, above all midfielders Liverpool have eyed this summer, could be the one to benefit the most from moving to Anfield.
Gravenberch Made a Name for Himself at Ajax
The 21-year-old was once one of the most highly sought after young players in the world after coming through the ranks at Ajax. He drew comparisons with Frank Rijkaard for his mixture of physicality and technical quality having broken two of Clarence Seedorf’s records as Ajax’s youngest player and goalscorer. Brain Tevreden, who left Ajax’s academy in 2016, handed Gravenberch his debut for the club’s Under-15 side when he was only 12-years-old. “Physically, I see Frank in him from back in the day because he’s tall and very strong,” Tevreden told Goal. “But technically, I would say he’s a better version of Pogba in his best days at Juventus, in terms of his technique and his presence on the pitch. He’s very dominant like Pogba was, and that’s what I see in Ryan.”
Gravenberch’s Unique Play-Style
Gravenberch has addressed comparisons to Pogba numerous times, but prefers not to model his game on an actual player. Instead, he has a more unique view of his own play-style and has likened to his drive through the middle to an acrobat. “I would say: a contortionist,” he told Het Parool. “I am able to slip and turn everywhere. And I have extension legs. Pretty handy too. I am tall, six feet tall. It is often said that tall players have less technique, but I have to rely on my technique. By the way, I have a bad header for a tall footballer. I found it difficult as a child.” Gravenberch has previously told Voetbal Primeur: “I’m kind of a snake. Long, quite narrow and I slip everywhere. I can learn a lot from Paul Pogba, he’s also a bit of a snake, haha.”
Ten Hag Oversaw Gravenberch’s Breakthrough at Ajax
The 6′ 3 powerhouse came through and became a regular under Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax. And Ten Hag has already made his feelings on his former protegee clear last year when he told German outlet Sport 1: “He’s very important for our team because he’s a box-to-box player. He accelerates out of positional play, does good dribbling, has tremendous passing ability and participates in the build-up play. Due to his athleticism and physique, he is also strong in the transition game and can also win the balls. He’s come a long way, but can still learn a lot.”
Gravenberch’s Strengths Make Him an Ideal Fit for Jurgen Klopp’s High Energy Midfield
Gravenberch’s strengths as a powerful progressive No. 8 make him an ideal fit for Jurgen Klopp’s high energy midfield on paper. He carries a goal threat, rarely concedes possession and is better than Jude Bellingham at everything according to Rafael van der Vaart. But question marks remain over his work-rate off the ball and Gravenberch has even admitted his relaxed nature has proved his undoing at times. The Netherlands international was once stripped as captain of his Ajax youth side because he struggled with the responsibility.
Gravenberch Could Benefit from Playing in Between Dutch Teammates Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo at Liverpool
Gravenberch would likely hugely benefit from playing in between Dutch teammates Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo at Liverpool. And the chance to revitalise a career that promised so much only 12 months ago could be the kick up the butt that he has been missing.