It will be honest to say that there was some preliminary confusion over precisely what position Liverpool had signed Ryan Gravenberch for.
In confirming his arrival, sources near the membership described the Dutchman because the ‘multifunctional’ midfielder that they had lengthy stated they needed so as to add this summer season.
In line with them, Gravenberch can be referred to as upon to tackle each the No. 8 and No. 6 roles featured in Jurgen Klopp‘s system.
However then the supervisor himself spoke about his newest addition, and appeared to contradict that view with a reasonably persuasive abstract of his abilities.
Requested what Gravenberch can present, the German stated: “He’s super-talented, he can drive the ball, he may be actually a box-to-box risk, he’s going there.”
This didn’t appear to be the reward one would possibly lavish upon a holding midfielder, nor did the participant’s personal appraisal of his traits.
?? Good recommendation from Ryan Gravenberch’s dad and mom! pic.twitter.com/gIrlOuMnjr
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) September 2, 2023
Commenting on what he would possibly deliver to Liverpool, he stated: “I believe I’m a superb dribbler, I’m a technical participant. Additionally a box-to-box participant. I even have a superb shot.”
It may be no coincidence that these assessments aligned with these of Thomas Tuchel, the Bayern Munich supervisor who had let Gravenberch go within the hope of signing a real holder this summer season.
“He’s a box-to-box midfielder for me, an attacking participant,” he stated. “The primary downside for him is that we don’t actually play with a No. 8 in our 4-2-3-1 system.”
On this proof, there’s substance to the Georginio Wijnaldum comparisons which have continued ever since Gravenberch was linked with Anfield.
Each are Dutch, clever footballers and tireless runners; an ideal mixture of traits for anybody enjoying beneath Klopp.
However, as was the case with Wijnaldum, it appears clear that the supervisor additionally views Gravenberch – at most – as somebody able to deputising within the holding position, relatively than one who would possibly make it his residence.
That information will come as a blow to some supporters, who’ve talked up the brand new man’s means to anchor the midfield since his signing was confirmed.
In reality, hope that he would possibly land there’s largely rooted in a (maybe comprehensible) wrestle to conceive Wataru Endo because the go-to man in that place given his lack of pedigree.
Klopp’s admiration for the Japanese is a matter of public report, and Liverpool’s hit charge on transfers is sufficient to make you imagine that they might have discovered one other diamond within the tough.
However his arrival at Anfield owes a lot to a dearth of pre-peak, elite-level No. 6s available on the market this summer season – one which Liverpool sources privately identified very early within the window.
Some supporters might disagree with that professional view, however one want solely have a look at the names coveted on social media to see that argument is already being borne out.
Take Florentino Luis, who’s at present struggling to start out video games for Benfica, or Ibrahim Sangare, who has simply landed at Nottingham Forest.
And whereas Cheick Doucoure, Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara are all wonderful gamers in their very own proper, do any of that trio look destined to finish up among the many finest on the earth of their place?
For the charges that will have been commanded, that’s the stage that ought to be anticipated, and if Liverpool weren’t satisfied, then a cut-price various makes extra sense.
In fact, whereas that could be true, there is no such thing as a query that, as the only real specialist six within the squad, Endo finds himself beneath immense strain.
The 30-year-old’s current profession has seen him engaged in relegation battles relatively than difficult for trophies, so it could be honest to say he must shock in making that leap this season.
And it’s in that context that Liverpool may maybe do with Gravenberch lightening the load on the very least with regards to enjoying within the six.
Even accounting for Klopp’s feedback, that’s not inconceivable to think about, with the Reds doing a powerful job of controlling Aston Villa on Sunday with out a pure holder.
However now we have but to see whether or not that could be a workable tactic towards the really elite opposition, or if Klopp will favor to lean on Endo in such circumstances.
Both manner, Liverpool’s perception that they’ve landed a midfielder of game-changing high quality in Gravenberch stays unshaken.
The one problem for followers is that the 21-year-old’s brilliance seems unlikely to be evidenced within the place they really feel it’s most wanted.
