Liverpool continue to fly high in both the Premier League and the Champions League, laying the foundations for what could be a very fruitful season.
The Reds, who were unable to play against Everton last Saturday due to adverse weather conditions, made it six wins out of six in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Liverpool were given a tough time against Girona in the early stages, but eventually got their noses in front thanks to a Mohamed Salah penalty in the second half.
The likes of Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker showed how world-class they were, something they’ve been doing week-in, week-out.
However, there was another player who shone on the night, and his rise to prominence under Arne Slot this season has been nothing short of stratospheric.
Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool FC competes for the ball with g0 of Girona FC during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between...
Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images
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Ryan Gravenberch stock continues to rise at Liverpool
The player in question is Ryan Gravenberch, who has been so good this term that he could seriously stake a claim as one of the most in-form midfielders in the world.
Gravenberch joined Liverpool last year for around £34million and, while he showed glimpses of quality and potential, his maiden season wasn’t particularly brilliant.
However, since Slot took the reins, the 22-year-old has been transformed into a No. 6, and both the player and the club are reaping the rewards.
Gravenberch has gone from having multiple roles under Jurgen Klopp to playing – and dazzling – as a defensive pivot under Slot.
Admittedly, the Dutchman wasn’t at his best against Newcastle, but perhaps this was a case of tiredness.
After a weekend off, Gravenberch looked refreshed and back to his best as he played some great passes against Girona and covered plenty of ground throughout.
Ryan Gravenberch has played 99% of all possible minutes in the Premier League and Champions League this season.
Hopefully, he stays injury-free because he's clearly vital to Slot's system.
Watching his journey from a rotation player to one of Europe’s top midfielders has been… pic.twitter.com/YcXYMdcGGx
— Football Talent Scout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) December 10, 2024
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Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig was stunned by Gravenberch’s “incredible” rise from a Liverpool rotation player to “one of Europe’s top midfielders”.
What Gravenberch said about Toni Kroos comparisons
Indeed, just to show how much Gravenberch’s stock has risen, the Reds ace has been compared to Toni Kroos, one of the greatest midfielders of the 21st century.
“It is nice to hear that [Kroos comparison], of course, because Toni Kroos is a legend of the game, he did a lot of good things, so it is nice to hear,” he said ahead of the Girona game.
“Do I look at other midfielders? No, not really to be honest, I just want to be myself.
“It’s nice to beat them (Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen) because they are really good teams, but we look game by game and then we see further.
“Of course you want to win every game, so for us our aim is to win every group game and then we will see further. But if we do win every game it means a lot to us.”
🗣️ “It’s nice to hear that, of course. Toni Kroos is a legend of the game”
Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch on being compared to former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos 🙌pic.twitter.com/W9wpeEVwx2
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 10, 2024
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Meanwhile, Rafael van der Vaart recently claimed that Gravenberch actually has more potential than Jude Bellingham.
A year ago, few would’ve predicted that Gravenberch would’ve gone on to be spoken of among one of the best in Europe and earning comparisons with the likes of Kroos.
If he keeps this up – and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t – over the next few years, then people may well be talking about him as one of the greatest midfielders of all time.
At just 22 years old, he’s nowhere near his prime and it’ll be exciting to see how he continues to develop.
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