Former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg has decided that one Liverpool player is better than Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
Liverpool lost to Manchester City on Sunday despite the absence of one of Pep Guardiola’s key men, Rodri.
In his absence, Nico Gonzalez stepped up in the holding role and scored during the 3-0 victory.
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Liverpool looked vulnerable against Man City, but Freddie Ljungberg has still praised a number of their players.
Rodri of Manchester City looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Freddie Ljungberg decides which Liverpool and Man City players are the best
During an interview with Via Play Football, Ljungberg was asked to pick which Manchester City and Liverpool players were better.
He selected Gianluigi Donnarumma over Alisson, who missed the weekend’s action due to injury but is expected back versus Nottingham Forest.
The ex-Arsenal man favoured Matheus Nunes over Conor Bradley, despite the latter playing well on Sunday.
Ljungberg said he wanted to pick Andy Robertson over Nico O’Reilly and Milos Kerkez despite not originally being asked about the Scotsman.
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He then selected Ryan Gravenberch over Rodri and explained his reasoning.
The Swede said: “I think Gravenberch is an unbelievable player.”
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The Dutchman played a key role in the Reds’ recent title success and already has three goals and two assists this term.
But Ben Foster thinks Gravenberch isn’t at Rodri’s level just yet, explaining what he must do to reach the heights of the Ballon d’Or winner.
He said: “He [Gravenberch] hasn’t done it long enough yet [to be better than Rodri].
“He’s brilliant, he’s fantastic, and in another year or two, we will be talking about him like that, as one of the best in his position.
“But I think just for now, obviously he was fantastic last season, but then this season a little bit of a drop off, but that mirrors the team’s drop off, but he’s right up there and is a threat in every department.”
The 23-year-old should have plenty of time to cement himself as one of the Premier League’s best midfielders, though, as Liverpool want to open contract talks with Gravenberch, whose current deal expires in 2028.