Liverpool boast one of the Premier League’s top three midfielders in Dutch star Ryan Gravenberch.
That’s the view of Gabby Agbonlahor who heaped huge praise on the 22-year-old following his blistering start to the season.
GettyRyan Gravenberch has made an impressive start to the season under new boss Arne Slot[/caption]
Gravenberch has played every minute of the Reds’ six league games this term and is undoubtedly living up to his early promise.
Signed by Jurgen Klopp from Bayern Munich for £34million in 2023, Gravenberch played second fiddle behind the German’s preferred midfield trio of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo last term.
A frustrating first season saw him complete just one full 90 minutes under Klopp but there appears to be no such difficulty under the guidance of compatriot Arne Slot.
Gravenberch delivered another accomplished display in the Reds’ 2-1 win at Wolves on Saturday and Agbonlahor reserved special praise for the star.
“Apart from one game he’s been man of the match all season,” the former Aston Villa striker told talkSPORT. “He didn’t get much game time under Klopp but this season under Slot he has had a lot of game time.
“He’s got strength, he’s got aggression, he’s got pace, he’s got skill, he can run with the ball and he’s a unit.
“He’s got the size for set pieces as well if needed,” Agbnlahor continued. “For me he’s an outstanding midfielder and I’m putting him in there as one of the top three midfielders so far this season.
“An outstanding talent and shows just how strong Liverpool are in that department.”
The arrival of Slot and the faith placed in him in Liverpool’s midfield appears to be paying dividends with the Netherlands international feeling very much at home at Anfield.
talkSPORT’s Gabby Agbonlahor reeled off Gravenberch’s extensive list of attributes
Gravenberch struggled to nail down a place in the Reds’ midfield under KloppGetty
Gravenberch has finally found his feet at Liverpool under fellow Dutchman Arne SlotGetty
Asked if he feels like a player reborn, the midfielder told Dutch newspaper Trouw: “I’m the same Gravenberch.”
“I sometimes had matches where I only touched the ball after five minutes [last season]. Then I didn’t get into my game, I didn’t get into my rhythm. This feels more comfortable to me.”
“The coach knows that I have a lot of football in me. He has a clear plan, with the build-up, with the pressing. It’s up to me to maintain that and be consistent. He gave me the chance from the start. I had to focus on a certain position, a bit more defensive.
“I do my thing and that works out well. That has to do with myself and with the coach. There was clarity from the start. We play as a team, and then the individual also looks better.”
Gravenberch began his career at Ajax before making an ill-fated £15m switch to Bayern Munich in 2022 where he struggled to make an impact.
He has 14 caps for his country and was part of the Netherlands squad for this summer’s Euros.
