Gravenberch's ascent from Bayern's misery to Liverpool's genius

Ryan Gravenberch was dubbed "the new Frank Rijkaard" when he was the newest outstanding young talent to emerge from Ajax's renowned production line.

It was difficult to avoid being compared to the legendary Rijkaard, who won two European Cups with AC Milan and five Eredivisie titles with Ajax in addition to the Champions League and European Cup Winners' Cup.

There were concerns that the young midfielder's rich and evident potential might not be realized when Gravenberch departed Ajax for a season of hardship at Bayern Munich.

Rather, after being saved by Liverpool in a £34 million deal in September 2023 and taken care of by fellow countryman Arne Slot after he replaced Jurgen Klopp the following season, Gravenberch now comfortably ranks among the best in his position in Europe.

Slot made this crucial choice after a potential £52 million move for Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, who is currently at Arsenal, fell through. Slot used Gravenberch as a holding midfielder when winning the Premier League in his debut season.

With greater attacking latitude, Gravenberch has excelled this season. Liverpool has won five of their last five league games to take the lead.

Gravenberch is the reason Liverpool works.

Although that is still his assigned position, Slot is giving Gravenberch more latitude this season to get the most out of him after he excelled as Liverpool's holding "number six" the previous season.

Gravenberch has been getting on the ball in key areas higher up the pitch this season, even if his defensive figures on tackles, clearances, and winning possession are about the same as they were the previous season.

He has already scored two goals in four games this season, including the first in the Merseyside derby victory over Everton at Anfield, after not scoring a league goal in 37 games the previous season.

Gravenberch had four shots and created four chances in Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Burnley. On the other hand, he failed to create a chance or have a shot in 11 league games during the previous season. This time, he has done so in each of the four games.

"He has been Liverpool's best and most important player this season," Danny Murphy, a former midfielder for Liverpool and England, told BBC Sport.

"He was absent from both the Community Shield match against Crystal Palace and the opening match at home versus Bournemouth. His absence made them appear quite vulnerable in the Bournemouth match.

"You could tell the change when he returned. His exceptional spatial awareness and ability to swerve past opponents are qualities that very few midfielders possess.

"Players who can carry the ball past the lines are scarce in center midfield. The majority of midfielders are line-passers.

"He is a terrific passer, but his great body movement allows him to let the ball run across him, then he has that great athleticism, which allows him to glide past people effortlessly."

The effect of slots

In his debut season at Anfield under the German manager, Gravenberch made just 12 league starts, despite Klopp calling him "an exceptional talent" when he signed.

Gravenberch's metamorphosis was sparked by Slot's entrance and the collapse of that Zubimendi agreement.

After Zubimendi escaped, many Liverpool supporters questioned the plan of staying out of the markets, but Slot trusted the player he knew from the Netherlands to find a solution.

Murphy stated, "It was clear that Slot had witnessed him perform that part in Holland. He may have believed that he was a temporary solution, an experiment, but in actuality, it has been a huge success for both of them.

"Earlier in the season, I had a conversation with Slot about many players, particularly in the middle. He spoke eloquently about Gravenberch and his significance to the team. You can always tell how highly a manager regards a player when they say things like that.

"I really believe that the manager's faith in you goes a long way in providing you with the opportunity to succeed, regardless of your personal traits. He was used sparingly in his debut season, which prevented him from gaining much traction.

When they reflect on their careers, the majority of athletes will recall times when they simply clicked with a certain boss. I experienced that at Liverpool with Gerard Houllier. Gravenberch has discovered that Slot is someone who really trusts him.

Journalist Marcel van der Kraan, chief sports editor at the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, echoes Slot's influence.

"Liverpool saved the day after Bayern," he remarked. He was in better mental health when he arrived at Anfield than he had been during his difficult time in Germany. The last piece has been added to the Gravenberch jigsaw puzzle by Arne Slot.

"As a full-time correspondent for Feyenoord, I collaborated with Slot. If Slot has one greatest quality as a manager and coach, it is his ability to bring out a player's true strength.

"When we couldn't see it in the Netherlands, I watched him transform a lot of guys into rising stars. He did that with Gravenberch. He used his skills, gained greater freedom, and adopted an offensive style.

From Bayern's desperation to Liverpool's genius

Gravenberch paid £16 million to join Bayern in June 2022, but in his one full season, he only started three of his 24 Bundesliga games. It was a huge letdown since Thomas Tuchel, the coach at the time, didn't appear to believe in his worth.

It was believed in the Netherlands that a transfer to a European powerhouse like Bayern was premature.

Van der Kraan stated, "Due to his athleticism and size, he was dubbed the new Frank Rijkaard when he initially came to prominence, much like several other excellent players from the Ajax program. The best example of a natural defensive midfielder and center defender was Frank Rijkaard.

"Ryan was incredibly lively, strong, and powerful. In youth academy games, he was stronger than everyone he faced.

Expectations are high, therefore I don't think that label of the new Rijkaard did him any favors. Perhaps because he was so young, he felt he had to live up to something."

"We like it when our top talent remains in the Netherlands for a longer period of time, but soon the huge vultures were circling for Gravenberch. This time, it came from Germany and Bayern Munich rather than the Premier League.

For him, it was much too early. Players should develop, mature, and then move on. Before joining the Premier League, he ought to have remained at Ajax for a few more seasons.

"He made the choice. This is a typical sports family. Danzell, his brother, plays football professionally. Although they believed it was the correct thing to do, it didn't work out.

German football differs from the Premier League, and it was too early. The dynamic is different.

Perhaps the Germans and Bayern believed he was a natural fit for them because of his athleticism. He is now demonstrating why I always believed he was destined for English football.

He had a very terrible mental period while he was at Bayern, and even his father expressed doubts about his ability to recover when he talked to us about it.

"He did, and now he is showing how good he can be at Liverpool."

Superior to Bellingham? Can Gravenberch be that good?

With his comeback at Liverpool, Gravenberch has established himself as one of Europe's best in his field, and Murphy is confident in his standing.

"Last season, he was the best in his position in that number six role," he stated.

Rodri was absent from Manchester City for almost the entire season. For the past four or five years, he had been the finest in Europe.

"Gravenberch began the season in the same manner as he did the previous season, when he was the greatest player in the Premier League.

Martin Zubimendi will be discussed by Arsenal supporters. Moises Caicedo will be discussed by Chelsea supporters. Compared to those two, Gravenberch has more tools and the potential to execute things higher up the pitch.

Gravenberch's admirers in the Netherlands were concerned that he would be a lost generational talent because of his difficulties at Bayern. Rather, he is now the driving force behind Liverpool and will play a significant role in Ronald Koeman's World Cup plans as national coach.

Van der Kraan stated, "It's amazing that everyone in Holland believed he had lost the skill that was bestowed upon him when he was younger.

When Gravenberch's career was at its worst, Rafael van der Vaart, a former player who had played for Ajax, Real Madrid, and Tottenham, commented, 'He's better than Jude Bellingham.'..."

"Everyone chuckled. Van der Vaart received utter mockery. People now bring that up this week and remark, "Perhaps Van der Vaart was correct after all."

Gravenberch is on par with Bellingham, who is a top-tier player.

With Frenkie de Jong and Tijjani Reijnders, the Netherlands' midfield has been a really strong area, nearly overcrowded, but I can assure you that this lad will be in that three in our 4-3-3 at the World Cup. This midfield is perfect.

"If I were asked to describe Gravenberch, I'd call him a playmaker, a holding midfield player who has freedom to get forward," Murphy says, expressing his belief that the August father deserves to be among the best. He is no longer a player I would consider an attacking midfielder.

"Vitinha at Paris St Germain and Gravenberch are the two best holding midfield players in Europe."

Few would disagree with Gravenberch in its current form.