Done Deal: Ryan Gravenberch signs for LFC
Ryan Gravenberch joins for £34.2 Million from Bayern
| The Missing Piece? |
Ryan Gravenberch has completed a deal to join LFC from Bayern Munich. The deal is reportedly an initial €40 Million with a potential for a further €5 Million in add-ons. The 21-year-old Dutchman has signed a 5-year contract with the Reds and seemingly completes Liverpool’s midfield overhaul for the summer.
LFC have already signed Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo this summer in a complete refresh of their midfield.
Key midfielders Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have left Anfield to join Saudi Arabian clubs, while James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also departed on free transfers.
| A Rough Diamond |
Gravenberch will be a relative unknown to LFC fans. He is probably best described as a box-to-box central midfielder whose best assets are his ball striking and ability to travel quickly with the ball at his feet. He also benefits from having an education in football from the Ajax youth academy leading to solid tactical awareness.
At 6’3″, Gravenberch is built for a box-to-box midfielder; tall enough to win aerial duels whilst still maintaining a level of agility rarely seen for such a large frame. He is clearly not the final product just yet, but in Jürgen Klopp, Gravenberch is joining a coach who has a proven track record of improving young players.
| A New Role?|
One thing that is yet to be seen is how Gravenberch will likely fit into Liverpool’s system. Primarily a number 8, Gravenberch will likely start in that role for the Reds, however, it’s not out of the question that Klopp could end up moulding him into a number 6.
The physical comparison to Fabinho is obvious, but what is less clear is whether Gravenberch will have the attributes required to play as the holding midfielder player in a Jürgen Klopp team. Don’t forget that Klopp has previously turned Gini Wijnaldum from a winger/attacking midfielder into one of the most respected ball-winning number 8s in recent times.