Ryan Gravenberch may be struggling to recapture his form of last season with Liverpool, but he has now received a significant vote of confidence from someone who knows him well.
Former Ajax defender Perr Schuurs has lifted the lid on a debate in the Netherlands between Gravenberch and Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong, having shared a dressing room with both players in Amsterdam.
While De Jong has gone on to establish himself as one of Europe’s elite midfielders at Camp Nou, Schuurs has made it clear where his loyalties lie, explaining that Gravenberch’s rare qualities as a tall yet technical midfielder mean the Liverpool man comes out on top.
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Schuurs backs Gravenberch over De Jong
Schuurs didn’t hesitate when asked to choose between the two midfielders on Dutch show Goedemorgen Eredivisie via Voetbalzone.
“Ryan Gravenberch,” he answered. “Friends often ask me: Gravenberch or Frenkie de Jong? For me, it’s always been Ryan. His playing style, combined with his height, is rare. He’s always decisive. I’ve always thought he was very good.
“He’s about 1.88 m, very technical, and he always checks behind him twice before receiving the ball. He was already like that six years ago. He really stood out.”
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It’s high praise given De Jong’s pedigree, but Schuurs believes Gravenberch’s technical ability is what really makes the Liverpool man stand out.
His awareness, composure on the ball and ability to influence play were evident even in his teenage years at Ajax, and is something he has continued to hone with Liverpool.
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Liverpool still need more consistency from Gravenberch
While Schuurs’ comments underline why Gravenberch is so highly regarded, Liverpool fans will know there is still more to come. After a brilliant season last year, expectations have naturally risen, but his performances have not always matched that same level in 2025/26.
There have been flashes of quality, and he has certainly added more goals to his game, which is a positive, but there have been periods where Gravenberch has drifted through matches rather than imposing himself. As Liverpool’s deepest-lying midfielder, that has often led to the Reds’ defence being exposed.
Having recently signed a bumper new contract at Anfield, fans are right to demand a little more from their No. 38 than they are currently getting.
Nevertheless, Gravenberch remains one of the Premier League’s most technically gifted midfielders, and if he can rediscover the form which won him the division’s Young Player of the Year last season, then comparisons to players like De Jong may not seem so bold after all.
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