Ryan Gravenberch has been a stand-out performer for Liverpool this season despite his young age, though the Dutchman already possesses a wealth of experience
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Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool
Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Despite his ties to Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand can't help but have an affinity for Ryan Gravenberch. He says the midfielder has been a 'wonderful surprise' in Liverpool's team under Arne Slot.
A £34m signing from Bayern Munich on transfer deadline day, summer 2023, Gravenberch was admired by Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp for a long time as a star for the future. As it turns out, that has come quicker than anticipated as the Dutchman has stepped into a permanent role in the team, even earning comparisons to Real Madrid and Germany great Toni Kroos.
He has started all 14 Premier League plus all five Champions League fixtures for the Reds this term. On top of that, he has truly overcome his Netherlands exile of late 2023 to start five of his country's six UEFA Nations League games in the 2023/24 season.
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"I don’t think this is a surprise for anyone who has seen him as a young kid at Ajax. Broke the record for youngest player, breaking Clarence Seedorf’s long-standing record," Ferdinand said on TNT Sports prior to Tuesday evening's European clash with Girona.
He added: "We watched him in the Champions League and he won the league three years on the spin at Ajax, so he’s got experience of being in a successful team, albeit in a different league."
With Liverpool locked in a domestic title race with Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City it seems, they will require as much winning mentality as they can muster. Ferdinand continued to wax lyrical about his talents and Slot's faith.
"This kid knows how to play football. I think the biggest difference is yes, the confidence from the manager, but the change of position. That subtle change dropping deep then being able to turn and drive at teams has been the hallmark of his game this season, and the ability to release other players in the team.
"I think he’s been a wonderful surprise in this Liverpool team and something I don’t think they envisaged. The ability to break in midfield, Macca [Steve McManaman] used to do it sometimes coming in off the wide areas and central areas, being able to come in and beat midfielders.
"Midfielders aren’t used to one-v-one situations a lot and they’re not the best at dealing with it like full-backs. When you can do that it opens up, that’s why you see him playing balls in behind the opposing defenders, because the space opens up when you can beat an individual in that middle part of the pitch. He’s been brilliant at that this season."